Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Mēal'-mōth, n. p. 822(Entom.) A lepidopterous insect of the genus Pyralis (P. farinalis), the larvæ of which feed upon meal.Mēal'-mouthed, a. p. 822Same as MEALY-MOUTHED.Mēal’s’-mēat, n. p. 822A quantity of food sufficient for one meal. [Obs.]Mēal'-time, n. p. 822The usual time of eating meals.Mēal'-worm, n. p. 822(Entom.) The larve of a coleopterous insect of the genus Tenebrio (T. melitor). It infests granaries, corn-mills, bake-houses, &c., and is very injurious to flour, meal, and the like. Baird.Mēal'y, a. p. 822Having the qualities of meal, as soft, smooth. 2. Like meal; farinaceous; dry and friable; as, a mealy potato; a mealy apple. 3. Overspread with something that resembles meal; as, the mealy wings of…Mēal'y-būg, n. p. 822(Entom.) A small scale insect (Coccus adonidum), covered with a white, powder-like substance. It is a common pest in hot-houses.Mēal'y-mouthed, a. p. 822Having a soft mouth; unwilling to tell the truth in plain language; hypocritically, affectedly, or timidly delicate of speech. Not illiterate; neither one Who, dabbling in the fount of fictive tears…Mēal'y-mouth'ed-ness, n. p. 822The quality of being mealy-mouthed.Mēan, a. p. 822Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble. 2. Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless. Can you imagine I so mean could prove, To save my life…Mēan, a. p. 822Occupying a middle position; middle; intervening; intermediate; as, in the mean time. 2. Intermediate in excellence of any kind. According to the fittest style of lofty, mean, or lowly. Milton. 3.…Mēan, n. p. 822That which is intermediate between two extremes; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation; measure. But to speak in a mean, the…Mean, v. t. p. 822To have in the mind, view, or contemplation; to intend. What mean ye by this service? Ex. xii. 26. 2. To purpose; to design. Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good. Gen. i. 20. 3. To…Mēan, v. i. p. 822To have thought or ideas; or to have meaning.Me-ăn'der, n. p. 822A winding course; a winding or turning in a passage; a labyrinth; a maze; perplexity; intricacy; as, the meanders of the veins and arteries. Hale. While lingering rivers in meanders glide. Blackmore.…Me-án'der, v. t. p. 822To wind, turn, or flow round; to make flexuous.Me-ăn'der, v. i. p. 822To wind or turn in a course or passage; to be intricate.Me-án'drĭ-an, a. p. 822Winding; having many turns.Mē'an-drī'na, n. p. 822(Zoöl.) A genus of corals with meandering cells, as the brain-stone coral.Me-ăn'droŭs, a. p. 822Winding; flexuous.Mean'ing, n. p. 822That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object. I am no honest man, if there be any good meaning toward you. Shak. 2. That which is signified, whether by act or language…Mēan'ing-less, a. p. 822Having no meaning.Mēan'ing-ly, adv. p. 822Significantly; intendingly.Mēan'ly, adv. p. 822Moderately; not in a great degree. [Obs.] In the reign of Domitian, poetry was meanly cultivated. Dryden. 2. In a mean manner; low in dignity, rank, or social position; in a manner indicating…Mēan'ness, n. p. 822The quality of being mean; want of excellence, eminence, or dignity; poorness; lowness; humility; baseness; sordidness. This figure is of a later date, by the meanness of the workmanship. Addison.…Mēans, n. pl. p. 822Resources or income. See MEAN. 2. Instrument for gaining an end; as, by this means. See MEAN, No. 3.Mēant, imp. & p. p. p. 822of mean.Mēan'time or Mēan'while, adv. p. 822In the intervening time; during the interval.Mēar, n. p. 822A boundary or limit. See MERE. 2. (Derbyshire Mining.) Thirty-two yards of ground in the vein.Mēase, n. p. 822The number of five hundred; as, a mease of herrings.Mēa'sel-ry, n. p. 822Leprosy. [Obs.] “For foul measelry he communed with no man.” R. Brunne.Mēa'sle, n. p. 822A leper. [Obs.] [Written also meazel and messel.] Wycliffe.Mē'a'sled, a. p. 822Infected or spotted with measles.Mēa'sled-ness, n. p. 822The state of being measled;—said especially of swine.Mea'sles, n. pl. p. 822Leprosy. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. (Med.) A contagious febrile disorder, commencing with catarrhal symptoms, and marked by the appearance on the third day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots…Mēas'ly, a. p. 822Infected with measles or eruptions.Mēas'ūr-a-ble, a. p. 822Capable of being measured; susceptible of mensuration or computation. 2. Moderate; in small quantity or extent.Mēa'sūr-a-ble-ness, n. p. 822The quality of being measurable.Meas'ur-a-bly, adv. p. 822In a measurable manner; to a limited extent; moderately. Yet do it measurably, as it becometh Christians. Latimer.Mēas'ure, n. p. 822The dimensions of any thing, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Job…Mĕas/ure, v. t. p. 823To compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise. Great are…Mĕas'ūre, v. i. p. 823To be of a certain extent, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.Mĕas'ured, a. p. 823Regulated or determined by a standard; hence, moderated; moderate; equal; uniform; steady; as, he walked with measured steps. 2. Limited or restricted; as, in no measured terms.Mĕas'ure-less, a. p. 823Without measure; unlimited; immeasurable. Syn.—Boundless; limitless; endless; unbounded; unlimited; vast; immense; infinite; immeasurable.Mēas'ure-ment, n. p. 823The act of measuring; mensuration. 2. The amount or quantity ascertained by measuring; the quantity; the area.Mĕas'ūr-er, n. p. 823One who measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure commodities in market.Mĕas'ūr-ing, a. p. 823Used in measuring; as, a measuring rod. Measuring cast, a throw or cast, in the game of bowls, that requires to be measured, or that can not be distinguished from another without measuring.Mēat, n. p. 823Food in general; any thing eaten for nourishment, either by man or beast. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb; . . . to you it shall be for meat. Gen. i. 29. Every moving thing that…Mēat, v. t. p. 823To supply with food; to feed. [Obs. and rare.] “His shield well lined, his horses meated well.” Chapman.Mēat'-bĭs'cuit, n. p. 823An extract of the most nutritive parts of meat boiled down and thickened with flour, and then formed into the shape of biscuit, for long voyages, travels, &c. Simmonds.Meat'ed, a. p. 823Fed; fattened. [Obs.] Tusser. 2. Having meat;—used chiefly in composition; as, thick-meated.Mēathe, n. p. 823A sweet liquor or drink; mead. [Obs.] Milton. 2. Choice; option; preference. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Meat'i-ness, n. p. 823The state or quality of being meaty; fleshiness; muscularity. The diaphaneity of Babet contrasted with the meatiness of Guelphener. C. E. Wilson.Mēat'less, a. p. 823Having no meat; without food. “Leave these beggars meatless.” Sir T. More.Mēat'-ŏf'fer-ing, n. p. 823(Script.) An offering consisting of meat or food, in distinction from a drink-offering.Mē-ā'tus, n. p. 823(Anat.) A natural passage or canal, wider than a duct. It may be closed at one end, or perforated.Mēat'y, a. p. 823Abounding in meat; fleshy.Meaw, v. i. p. 823See MEW.Meawl, v. i. p. 823See MEWL.Mēa'zel, n. p. 823See MEASLE. [Obs.]