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.
Mēg'as-thēn'ic, a. p. 826(Zoöl.) Having a typically large size; belonging to the megasthenes.Mēg'a-stōme, n. p. 826(Zoöl.) One of a family of univalve shells, including those which are not symmetrical, and which have a very large aperture or mouth. Brande.Mĕg'a-thē'ri-ŭm, n. p. 826(Paleon.) An extinct and gigantic mammiferous quadruped allied to the anteaters and sloths. Its remains are found in South America. Megatherium Cuvieri.Me-gāth'e-roid, n. p. 826(Paleon.) One of a family of extinct mammals found fossil in some parts of America. The family includes the megatherium, the megalonyx, &c.Mē’gĭlp or Mē’gĭlph, n. p. 826(Paint.) See MAGILP.Mē'grim, n. p. 826A vehement pain confined to one side of the head, sometimes to the forehead. 2. A fancy; a whim; a freak; a humor. These are his megrims, firks, and melancholies. Ford.Meĭ-bō'mi-an, a. p. 826Pertaining to, or discovered by, H. Meibomius. Meibomian glands (Anat.), minute glands, situated in the edge of the eyelids. They secrete a wax which keeps the moisture of the eye from flowing down…Mēine, v. t. p. 826To mingle. [Obs.]Mēin'e or Mēin'y, n. p. 826A retinue or family of servants; domestics. [Obs.] They summoned up their meiny; straight took horse, Commanded me to follow and attend. Shak.Mei'o-nīte, n. p. 826(Min.) A mineral chiefly consisting of the silicate of alumina and lime, found on Monte Somma, near Naples. Dana.Mei-ō'sis, n. p. 826(Rhet.) Diminution; a rhetorical figure, a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is.Mei'well, n. p. 826A small species of codfish.Mĕk'hi-tar-ist, n. p. 826(Eccl. Hist.) One of a congregation of Armenian monks, who reside on the Island of San Lazaro, in Venice. They publish works on theology, and also works on general literature and science.Me-lā'dā, n. p. 826A mixture of sugar and molasses; crude sugar as it comes from the pans without being drained.Mēl'āin, n. p. 826The dark coloring matter of the liquid of the cuttle-fish.Mē'lam, n. p. 826(Chem.) A white, insoluble powder, discovered by Liebig. It is prepared by fusing sulphocyanide of ammonia, or a mixture of two parts of sal ammoniac and one part of sulphocyanide of potassium.Mĕl'a-mīne, n. p. 826(Chem.) A base obtained from melam when decomposed by means of alkalies or dilute acids. Wright.Mĕl'am-pōde, n. p. 826The black hellebore. [Obs.] Spenser.Me-lăn'a-gōgue, n. p. 826(Med.) A medicine supposed to expel black bile or choler. [Obs.]Mēl'an-chōl'i-an, n. p. 826A person affected with melancholy; a melancholic. [Obs.]Mēl'an-chōl'ic, a. p. 826Given to melancholy; depressed; melancholy; dejected; mournful; unhappy. Just as the melancholic eye Sees fleets and armies in the sky. Prior.Mĕl'an-chōl'ie, n. p. 826One affected with a gloomy state of mind. Spenser. 2. A gloomy state of mind. Clarendon.Mēl'an-chōl'i-ly, adv. p. 826In a melancholy manner; dejectedly.Mēl'an-chōl'i-ness, n. p. 826The state of being melancholy; disposition to indulge gloominess of mind.Mēl'an-chōl'i-ōūs, n. p. 826Melancholy. [Rare.] “A lengthened, melancholicous squeal.” H. Miller.Mēl'an-chōl'ist, n. p. 826One affected with melancholy or dejection. [Obs.] Glanville.Mĕl'an-cho-līze, v. i. p. 826To become gloomy or dejected in mind. [Obs.] We shall be apt to melancholize and dote on our mischances. Barrow.Mēl'an-cho-līze, v. t. p. 826To make melancholy. [Obs.]Mĕl'an-chōl'y, n. p. 826A gloomy state of mind, often a gloomy state that is of some continuance, or habitual; depression of spirits induced by grief; dejection of spirits. 2. Hence, gloom of mind; great and continued…Mĕl'an-chŏl'y, a. p. 826Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy; dismal. 2. Producing great evil and grief; causing dejection; calamitous; afflictive. 3. Grave looking; somber. [Obs.] “A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded…Mélange, n. p. 826A mixture; a medley.Me-lā'ni-an, n. p. 826(Zoöl.) One of a family of gastropodous mollusks, having a turret-shaped shell, with, in most species, a pointed spire.Me-lān'ic, n. p. 826The same as MELANOTIC.Mĕl'a-nĭsm, n. p. 826An excess of coloration of the skin or its appendages in men or in animals. 2. (Med.) A disease; black jaundice.Mēl'a-nīte, n. p. 826(Min.) A black variety of garnet.Mēl'an-īt'ic, a. p. 826Pertaining to melanite.Mĕl'an-ŏch'rō-īte, n. p. 826(Min.) A mineral of a red, or brownish, or yellowish red color, consisting of the protoxide of lead and chromic acid. Dana.Mēl'an-ōk'ō-mōŭs, a. p. 826Having very dark or black hair; black-haired. Pritchard.Mĕl'a-nō'mā, n. p. 826Melanosis.Mēl'an-ōp'sis, n. p. 826(Zoöl.) A genus of gasteropods, belonging to the family of the melanians.Mēl'a-nō'sis, n. p. 826(Med.) A morbid deposit of black matter, usually of a malignant character, in the organs of the body.Me-lān'o-spĕrm, n. p. 826(Bot.) An alga, of an olive-brown color.Mĕl/a-nŏt'ic, a. p. 826(Med.) Pertaining to, or of the character of, melanosis.Me-lān'o-tȳpe, n. p. 826A daguerreotype process, in which the picture is taken on an iron plate coated with collodion.Me-lăn′ter-īte, n. p. 826(Min.) A mineral of a green color and vitreous luster; native sulphate of iron.Mēl'an-thā'ce-æ, n. pl. p. 826(Bot.) An order of liliaceous plants, having flowers in some species resembling crocuses, in others, lilies, the roots being bulbs, corms, or fasciculated. Most of the plants of the order are…Mĕl'an-thā'çeōus, a. p. 826(Bot.) Belonging, or relating, to the Melanthaceae.Mĕl'a-nūre or Mĕl'a-nū'rus, n. p. 826(Ichth.) A small fish of the Mediterranean, a species of Sparus, or gilt-head.Mēl'a-phȳre, n. p. 826(Min.) A kind of rock, of very compact texture and reddish-brown or black color, composed of pyroxene with labradorite or oligoclase. Dana.Mēl'as, n. p. 826(Med.) A disease of the skin, characterized by livid or black spots.Me-lā'sma, n. p. 826(Med.) A black spot or ecchymosis on the lower extremities, especially on those of old people. Dunglison.Me-lās'ses, n. p. 826See MOLASSES. ☞ This is unquestionably the most correct mode of spelling the word, while molasses is more commonly used.Me-lās'sic, a. p. 826(Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, molasses.Melassic acid p. 826an acid obtained as the product of the simultaneous action of heat and alkalies on solutions of grape-sugar.Me-lās'to-mă, n. p. 826(Bot.) A genus of evergreen shrubs;—so called from the black berries of some species, which stain the mouth.Mēl'as-to-mā'ceōs, a. p. 826(Bot.) Belonging, or relating, to the genus Melastoma, or to plants of that genus.Mel-chis'e-di'cian, n. p. 826(Eccl. Hist.) One of a certain sect of the second century who believed Melchisedec to be a divine power, superior to Christ, and an intercessor in heaven for the angels. [Written also Melchizedecian.]Mēl'chite, n. p. 826(Eccl. Hist.) One of a certain religious sect in the East;—a term applied to the Greek Catholic church, or to such members of the Greek community as are Romanists. Eudic.Mel-chiz'e-dē'cian, n. p. 826See MELCHISEDECIAN.Mēl'e-ā'gris, n. p. 826(Ornith.) A genus of gallinaceous birds, including the common turkey (M. gallopavo). M. fera is the wild turkey.