METALLIZATION

Metallization (met'al-iz-ä"shon), n. The act or process of metallizing or forming into a metal; the operation which gives to a substance its proper metallic properties. Metallize (met'al-iz), v.t. pret. & pp. metallized; ppr. metallizing. To form into metal; to give its proper metallic properties to. Metallochrome (me-tallo-krōm), n. [Gr. metallon, a mine, metal, and chroma, colour.] A beautiful prismatic tint produced on polished steel plates on which a thin film of oxide of lead has been deposited by electrolytic action.

Metallochromy (met-al-lok'ro-mi), n. [See METALLOCHROME] The art or process of colouring metals.

Metallographist (met-al-og'ra-fist), n. A writer on metallography or the subject of metals.

Metallography (met-al-og'ra-fi), n. [Gr. metallon, metal, and grapho, to describe.] An account of metals, or a treatise on metallic substances; the science of metals. Metalloid (met'al-oid), n. [Gr. metallon, metal, and eidos, resemblance.] In chem. a term which has been variously applied, as (a) to the metallic bases of the fixed alkalies and alkaline earths, probably in consequence of their low specific gravity; and (b) to all the non-metallic elementary substances. In the latter sense it is now used by chemists. The metalloids are thirteen in number: oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine, sulphur, selenium, phosphorus, boron, and silicon. The distinction between a metal and a metalloid is, however, purely artificial, being based on physical rather than chemical criteria; but, broadly, a metal may be said to differ from a metalloid in being an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, in reflecting light powerfully, and in being electro-positive. Though a metalloid may possess one or more of these characters, it will not be found to unite them all. Berzelius, in his classification, restricts the term metalloid to the inflammable non-metallic elements: viz. sulphur, phosphorus, carbon, boron. See Elementary Substances under ELEMENTARY; see also METAL.

Metalloid (met'al-oid), a. Relating to metalloids; like metal; having the form or appearance of a metal.

Metalloidal (met-al-oid'al), a. Same as

Metalloid.

Metallurgic (met-al-ér'jik), a. Pertaining to metallurgy or the art of working metals. -Metallurgic chemistry, that part of chemistry which teaches the combinations and analyses of metals.

Metallurgical (met-al-êr'jik-al), a. Same as Metallurgic.

Metallurgist (met'al-èr-jist), n. One whose occupation is to work metals, or to purify, refine, and prepare metals for use. Metallurgy (met'al-èr-ji), n. [Gr. metallon, metal, and ergon, work. The art of working metals, comprehending the whole process of separating them from other matters in the ore, smelting, refining, &c. In a more limited and usual sense, metallurgy is the operation of separating metals from their

Metamere (met'a-mēr), n. [Gr. meta, with or among, and meros, a part.] In compar. anat. one of a series of similar parts. Metameric (met-a-mer'ik), a. In chem. pertaining to or characterized by metamerism; as, aldehyde (C2H40) and oxide of ethylene (CHO) are metameric. Metamerism (me-tam'èr-izm), n. [Gr. prefix meta, denoting interchange, and meros, a part.] In chem. the character in certain compound bodies, differing in chemical properties, of having the same chemical elements combined in the same proportion and with the same molecular weight; thus, aldehyde (C2H4O) and oxide of ethylene (C2H4O) have their elements in the same proportion and the same molecular weight, 44. meric bodies do not, however, belong to the same class or series of compounds. See ISOMERISM, POLYMERISM. Metamorphic (met-a-mor'fik), a. [See METAMORPHOSIS.] Producing metamorphosis; changing the form or structure; transforming; as, metamorphic cause or agency; metamorphic action. -Metamorphic rocks, in geol. (a) stratified rocks of any age whose texture has been rendered less or more crys

Meta

160

talline by subterranean heat, pressure, or chemical agency. More specifically, (b) the lowest and azoic, or non-fossiliferous, stratified rocks, consisting of crystalline schists, and embracing granitoid schist, gneiss, quartz-rock, mica-schist, and clay-slate, all of which were originally deposited from water and crystallized by subsequent agencies. They exhibit for the most part cleavage, crumpling, and foliation, and their lines of stratification are often indistinct or obliterated. Although no traces of fossils have been discovered in these rocks, unless plumbago or graphite, a changed form of carbonaceous matter, and the so called Eozoon canadense, be regarded as fossil, there is no reason to conclude that these rocks, when deposited, did not contain animal or vegetable organisms, the traces of which may have been obliterated by the agency which produced the metamorphosis.

In geological nomenclature, the crystalline stratified rocks-gneiss, mica-schist, clay-slate, &c.—are termed Metamorphic, and erected into a separate system. Strictly speaking, metamorphic' applies to the power or force causing the change; 'meta morphism, the process; and metamorphosis,' the result. Hence we ought to speak of metamorphic agency, and metamorphosed rocks. Page. Metamorphism (met-a-mor'fizm), n. 1. The process of metamorphosing, or changing the form or structure.-2. The state or quality of being metamorphic; the change undergone by stratified rocks under the influence of heat, chemical agents, mechanical agents, as pressure. It is divided into two kinds-Metapepsis and paroptesis (which

see).

To

Metamorphist (met-a-mor'fist), n. One of a sect of sacramentarians of the fifteenth century, who affirm that the body with which Christ rose to heaven was wholly deified, having lost all its humanity. Metamorphize (met-a-mor'fiz), v.t. transform; to metamorphose. De Quincey. Metamorphose (met-a-mor'fōs), v.t. pret. & pp. metamorphosed; ppr. metamorphosing. [Fr. metamorphoser, from metamorphosis (which see).1 To change into a different form; to change the shape or character of; to transform; to transmute. 'And earth was metamorphosed into man.' Dryden.

Shak.

Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphosed me. Metamorphose (met-a-mor'fös), n. A transformation; metamorphosis. [Rare.] Metamorphoser (met-a-mor'fös-ér), n. One that transforms or changes the shape. Metamorphosic (met-a-mor' fōs-ik), a. Changing the form; transforming. The metamorphosic fables of the ancients.' T. Pownall.

Metamorphosis (met-a-mor'fōs-is), n. [Gr. metamorphosis, from metamorphoo, to transform-meta, denoting change, and morphe, form, shape.] 1. The result of metamorphic action; any change of form, shape, or structure; transformation.-2. A marked change in the form or function of a living body; a transformation resulting from development; specifically, in zool. the alterations which an animal undergoes after its exclusion from the egg, and which alter extensively the general form and life of the individual. All the changes which are undergone by a butterfly in passing from the fecundated ovum to the imago, or perfect insect, constitute its development-each change, from ovum to larva, from larva to pupa, and from pupa to imago, consituting a metamorphosis. The preliminary or embryonic changes undergone within the egg, and which eventuate in its giving birth to a larva or caterpillar, are, by way of distinction, sometimes comprised under the term transformation. -metamorphosis of organs, in bot. the adaptation of one and the same organ to several different purposes, connected with which are changes in size, colour, and other particulars. Thus, all the parts of a plant are reducible to the axis and its appendages, the other parts developing themselves from these progressively. See MORPHOLOGY.3. In chem. a term employed by Liebig to denote that chemical action by which a given compound is caused, by the presence of a peculiar substance, to resolve itself into two or more compounds, as sugar, by the presence of yeast, into alcohol and carbonic acid.

Metamorphosticalt (met-a-mor-fos'ti-kal), a. Pertaining to or effected by metamorphosis. Pope.

Metapepsis (met-a-pep'sis), n. [Gr. meta, over, beyond, and pepto, to boil.] In geol.

METAPHYSIC

that kind of metamorphism affecting large tracts and appearing to be chiefly due to wet heat, that is, to boiling water or steam under high pressure.

The great mass of Galway granite was produced out of Cambro-Silurian rocks by intense metapepsis. Kinahan.

Metaphor (met'a-fer), n. [Gr. metaphora, from metapherō, to transfer-meta, over, and pherō, to carry] A figure of speech founded on the resemblance which one object is supposed to bear, in some respect, to another, and by which a word is transferred from an object to which it properly belongs to another in such a manner that a comparison is implied, though not formally expressed; a simile without any word expressing comparison; a short simile. Thus,

that man is a fox,' is a metaphor; but 'that man is like a fox,' is a simile or comparison. In metaphor the similitude is contained in the name; a man is a fox, means, a man is as crafty as a fox. So we say, a man bridles his anger, that is, restrains it as a bridle restrains a horse; beauty awakens love or tender passions; opposition fires courage.-Simile, Metaphor, Allegory, Parable. See under SIMILE. Metaphoric, Metaphorical (met-a-forik, met-a-for'ik-al), a. Pertaining to metaphor; comprising a metaphor; not literal; as, a metaphorical use of words; a metaphorical expression.

The expression applying capital' is, of course, metaphorical: what is really applied is labour; capital being an indispensable condition. 7. S. Müll. Metaphorically (met-a-for'ik-al-li), adv. In a metaphorical manner; not literally. Metaphoricalness (met-a-forik-al-nes), n. The state or quality of being metaphorical One that Metaphorist (met'a-fér-ist), n. makes metaphors. Let the poet send to the metaphorist for his allegories. Arbuthnot and Pope. Metaphosphate (met-a-fos'fat), n. [Prefix meta, and phosphate.] A salt formed by the union of metaphosphoric acid with a base. Metaphosphoric (met-a-fos-for'ik), a. [Prefix meta, and phosphoric.] Pertaining to, produced from, or resembling phosphorus or phosphoric acid.-Metaphosphoric acid, a dry flaky acid obtained by burning phosphorus under a bell-glass filled with air or oxygen; protohydrated phosphoric acid (H2O. P2O5).

Metaphrase, Metaphrasis (met'a-fraz, me-taf'ra-zis), n. [Gr. metaphrasis-meta, over, according to or with, and phrasis, phrase.] 1. A verbal translation; a version or translation of one language into another, word for word. It stands opposed to paraphrase.

The translation is not so loose as paraphrase, nor so close as metaphrase. Dryden.

2. A phrase replying to another; a repartee. I'm somewhat dull, still, in the manly art Of phrase and metaphrase. E. B. Browning. Metaphrast (met'a-frast), n. A person who translates from one language into another, word for word.

Metaphrastic, Metaphrastical (met-afras'tik, met-a-fras'tik-al), a. Close or literal in translation. Metaphrenon (met-a-frē'non), n. [Gr. meta, behind, and phren, the midriff.] In anat. the posterior part of the trunk, extending from the inferior and posterior part of the neck as far as the loins.

Metaphysic, Metaphysical (met-a-fiz'ik, met-a-fiz'ik-al), a. [See METAPHYSICS.} 1. Pertaining or relating to metaphysics; abstract; general; existing only in thought, and not in reality.

He knew what's what, and that's as high As metaphysic wit can fly. Hudibras. According to some acceptations of the word metaphysical, which seem to make it synonymous with transcendental, and referable solely to the operations of pure reason, to the rejection of whatever is founded in experiment, none of Hume's works are properly metaphysical; and by the very foundation he has given to his philosophy he has made it empi rical, and consequently not metaphysical. The word metaphysical is, however, here used in its ordinary. and, as it may be termed, popular acceptation, and as applicable to any attempt to analyze mind or describe its elements-a subject in relation to which the word ontology is also sometimes used. F. H. Burton. 2. According to rules or principles of metaphysics; as, metaphysical reasoning.

Of the whole movement of metaphysical science we have already pointed out Bacon and Descartes as the founders. J. D. Morell. 3. Preternatural or supernatural. Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal. Shak

METAPHYSIC

Metaphysic (met-a-fiz'ik), n. Metaphy

sics.

and theology.

Pope.

Philosophy, that lean'd on heaven before, Shrinks to her second cause, and is no more; Physic of metaphysic begs defence, And metaphysic calls for aid, on sense. Metaphysically (met-a-fiz'ik-al-li), adv. In a metaphysical manner. Metaphysician (met-a-fi-zi' shan), n. One who is versed in the science of metaphysics. Metaphysico-theological (met-a-fiz'i-kōthe-o-lojik-al), a. Embracing metaphysics Metaphysics (met-a-fiz'iks), n. [Gr. meta, after, and physica, physics, from physis, nature. It is said that this name was given to the science by Aristotle or his followers, who considered the science of natural bodies or physics the first in the order of studies, and the science of mind or intelligence to be the second.] A word first applied to a certain group of the philosophical dissertations of Aristotle which were placed in a collection of his manuscripts after his treatise on physics. As since employed, it has had various significations. It was appropriated to the ontology and pneumatology of the schoolmen, but latterly it has been understood as applying to all inquiries which seek to trace the branches of human knowledge to their first principles in the constitution of our nature. In the part of the Aristotelian treatise alluded to the problems were concerned with the contemplation of being as being, and the attributes which belong to it as such. This implies that things in general must be divided into beings or things as they are, and into phenomena or things as they appear. In modern usage metaphysics is very frequently held as applying to the former division, that is to the ultimate grounds of being. To attain this end it takes into account the correlative of being, that is, knowledge; and of knowledge not as coming within the province of logic or of mental philosophy, but as it is in relation to being or objective reality. In this respect metaphysics is synonymous with ontology. The science has also been considered as synonymous with psychology, or the second division, and to denote that branch of philosophy which investigates the faculties, operations, and laws of the human mind. Regarding the science in its most general sense, Mansel proposes the following definition: Metaphysics, or the philosophy of the facts of consciousness considered subjectively in relation to the mind knowing, and objectively in relation to the things known,' and thus dividing itself naturally into the two branches of psychology and ontology. On the other hand, Ferrier in his Institutes of Metaphysics occupies himself solely with the questions connected with knowledge, or the nature of our perception of an external world.

He (Descartes) established the fundamental principle, which we regard as the corner-stone of all the metaphysics of modern Europe, namely, that as natural science is based upon inductions drawn from the actual observation of the world without, so me. taphysical science is based upon inductions similarly drawn from reflection upon the world within. F. D. Morell. Metaphysis (me-taf'i-sis), n. [Gr. meta, and physis, nature.] Change of form; transformation; metamorphosis. Metaplasm (met'a-plazm), n. [Gr. metaplasmos, transformation-meta, over, and plasso, to form.] In gram. a change or transmutation in a word by adding, transposing, or retrenching a syllable or letter. Metaplast (met'a-plast),n. In gram, a word or the stem of a word exhibiting the change of metaplasm.

Metapodium (met-a-po'di-um), n. [Gr. meta, after, and pous, podos, a foot.] In zool. the posterior lobe of the foot in mollusca, often called the operculigenous lobe, because it develops the operculum when this structure is present.

Metapophysis (met-a-pof'i-sis), n. [Gr. meta, after, and apophysis, a process.] In anat. an exogenous process of the vertebræ. These processes are very largely developed in the armadillo, assisting in the support of its carapace or defensive covering. Metaptosis (met-ap-to'sis), n. [Gr. meta, denoting change, and ptosis, a falling.] pathol. any change in a disease in regard to its nature or seat; transformation. Metasome, Metasoma (met'a-sōm, met'aso-ma), n. [Gr. meta, after, and soma, the body.] In compar. anat. the posterior portion of the body of a cephalopod, consisting

In

161

of a soft membranous mass enveloped by the mantle and containing the viscera. Metastasis (me-tas'ta-sis), n. [Gr. metastasis-meta, over, and stasis, a placing, state, position, from histēmi, to stand, to make to stand.] In pathol. a translation or removal of a disease from one part to another; any change in the former seat of a disease; also the change that takes place when the menstrual flow appears from other organs.

Metastatic (met-a-stat'ik), a. Relating to

metastasis.

Metastoma (met'a-stō-ma), n. [Gr. meta,

after, and stoma, the mouth.] The plate which closes the mouth posteriorly in the Crustacea.

Metatarsal (met-a-tär'sal), a. [From metatarsus.] Belonging to the metatarsus; as, a metatarsal bone. Metatarsal (met-a-tär'sal), N. One of the bones of the metatarsus. H. Spencer. Metatarsus (met-a-tar'sus), n. [Gr. meta, beyond, and tarsos, tarsus.] The middle of the foot, or part between the ankle and the toes; the bones coming between the tarsus and the digits in the hind foot of the higher vertebrates. See FOOT.

Metathesis (me-tath'e-sis),n. [Gr.metathesis -meta, over, and tithemi, to set.] 1. In gram. transposition, more especially of the letters, sounds, or syllables of a word, as in the case of A. Sax. acsian, ascian= E. ax, ask; A. Sax. bird or brid=E. bird.- 2. In med. a change in place of a morbid substance; an operation removing a morbific agent from one part to another, as in couchMetathetic, Metathetical (met-a-thet'ik, ing for cataract. met-a-thet'ik-al), a. Relating to or conMetathorax (met-a-thō'raks), n. [Gr. meta, taining metathesis. beyond, and thorax, the chest.] In entom. the third and last segment of the thorax, Metatome (met a-tom), n. [Gr. meta, bethe second being called mesothorax. yond, after, between, and tome, a cutting, from temno, to cut.] In arch. the space between two dentils.

Metayer (me-ta'yer), n. [Fr. métayer, L.L medietarius, from medietas, state of being in the middle, middle place, from medius, middle.] A cultivator who tills the soil for a landholder on condition of receiving a share, generally a half of its produce, the owner furnishing the whole or part of the stock, tools, &c.

Vast estates accumulated by one proprietor, and cultivated by slaves, or at best by poor metayers. Milman.

The word is often used in the phrase metayer system, applied to that mode of land cultivation, practised chiefly in France and Italy, in which the land is cultivated by metayers.

The principle of the metayer system is that the labourer or peasant makes his engagement with the landowner, and pays, not a fixed rent, either in money or in kind, but a certain proportion of the produce, or rather what remains of the produce, after deducting what is considered necessary to keep up the stock. The proportion is usually, as the name imports, one-half; but in several districts in Italy it is two-thirds. Respecting the supply of stock, the custom varies from place to place; in some places the landlord furnishes the whole, in others half, in others some particular part, as for instance the the imple

cattle and seed, the labourer providing S. Mill.

ments.

[Gr. meta, after, One of the two Huxley divides

Metazoa (met-a-zō'a), n. pl. and zōon, a living being.] great sections into which the animal kingdom, the other being the Protozoa. The Metazoa are distinguished from the Protozoa in that the substance of the body is differentiated into histogenetic elements, that is to say, into cells. In all the Metazoa the germ has the form of a nucleated cell, the first step in the process of development being the production of a blastoderm by the subdivision of that cell, the cells of the blastoderm giving rise in turn to the histological elements of the adult body. With the exception of certain parasites, and the extremely modified males of a few species, all these animals possess a permanent alimentary cavity, lined by a special layer of cells. Sexual reproduction always occurs, and very generally the male element has the form of filiform spermatozoa. The lowest term in the series of the Metazoa is represented by the Porifera or sponges. That portion of the Metazoa which possesses a notochord, and in the adult state have the trunk divided into segments or myotomes, constitute the sub-kingdom Vertebrata: the rest are invertebrate. Mete (mēt), v.t. pret. and pp. meted; ppr.

METENSOMATOSIS

meting. [A. Sax. metan, D. meten, Goth. mitan, G. messen, to measure; Icel. meta, to value; from a root seen also in L. modus, a measure (whence E. mode), moderare, to moderate, metior, to measure; Gr. metron, a measure; Skr. ma, to measure.] 1. To measure; to ascertain the quantity, dimensions, or capacity of by any rule or standard. Their memory

Shall as a pattern or a measure live By which his grace must mete the lives of others. Shak. Hence-2. To measure with the eye; to aim.

Alas, me! alas,

Who have undone myself from all that best, Fairest and sweetest, to this wretchedest, Saddest and most defiled-cast out, cast downWhat word metes absolute loss? E. B. Browning. Mete (met), n. [A. Sax. met, mæt, metto, Icel. mjót, O.H.G. mez, G. mass, a measure, with which may be incorporated O. Fr. mette, a boundary mark, from L. meta, a goal.] Measure; limit; boundary: used chiefly in the plural in the phrase metes and bounds. Mete,t a. [See MEET.] Meet; fitting; convenient. Chaucer. Mete,+ n.

Meat. During the metes space, during the time of eating. Chaucer. Mete, v. t. or i. To meet. Chaucer. Mete-borde, tn. An eating-table. Chaucer. Metecorn (mēt korn), n. [See METE.] A measure or portion of corn given by a lord to customary tenants as a reward and encouragement for labour and faithful service. Metegavel (mēt'ga-vel), n. [O.E. mete, food, and gavel, a tax.] A tribute or rent paid in victuals.

Metely,ta. Proportionable. 'Metely mouth.' Chaucer.

Metempiric, Metempiricist (met-em-pir'ik, met-em-pir'i-sist), n. One who believes in the metempirical or transcendental philosophy.

[Gr.

Metempirical (met-em-pir'ik-al), a. meta, beyond, and empeiria, experience, from en, in, and peira, trial experiment.] In metaph. beyond or outside of experience; not based on experience; transcendental; a priori: opposed to empirical or experiential.

The exclusion of all metempirical questions, the rejection of the metempirical method, is the cardinal position of the Positive Philosophy. G. H. Lewes. Metempiricism (met-em-pir'i-sizm), n. In metaph. the system of philosophy based on a priori reasoning; transcendentalism (which see).

Metempsychose (me-tem'si-kōz), v.t. [See METEMPSYCHOSIS.] To translate from one body to another, as the soul.

The souls of usurers after their death Lucian affirms to be metempsychosed, or translated into the bodies of asses, and there remain certain years for poor men to take their pennyworth out of their bones. Peacham, Metempsychosis (me - tem'si - kō" sis), n. [Gr. meta, denoting change, and empsychoō, to animate-en, in, and psyche, life, soul.] Transmigration; the passing of the soul of a man after death into some other animal body, a doctrine held by Pythagoras and his followers, and still prevailing in some parts of Asia, particularly in India.

The sages of old live again in us, and in opinions there is a metempsychosis. Glanville. Metemptosis (met-em-to'sis), n. [Gr. meta, beyond, and emptosis, a falling upon, from en, on, and ptosis, a falling, from pipto, to fall.] In chron, the solar equation necessary to prevent the new moon from happening a day too late, or the suppression of the bissextile once in 134 years. The opposite to this is the proemptosis, or the addition of a day every 300 years and another every 2400 years.

Metensomatosis (me-ten'sō-ma-to'sis), n. [Gr., the putting into another body-meta implying change, and ensomatōsis, an embodying or incarnation, from en, in, and soma, somatos, the body.] The transference of the elements of one body into another body and their conversion into its substance, as by decomposition and assimilation. Metensomatosis is in some respects the analogue of metempsychosis. The latter word, however, implies no resolution into elements, and consequently no conversion. Is it not indisputable that man's body... is composed of the very same materials, the same protein, and fats, and salines, and water, which constitute the inorganic world-which may unquestionably have served long ago as the dead material which was vivified and utilised in the bodies of extinct crea

w, wig; wh, whig; zh, azure.-See KEY.

METEOR

tures, and which may serve in endless metensomatosis (if the word, which has the authority of Clemens Alexandrinus, and which is now imperiously demanded by the wants of science, may be pardoned on the score of necessity) for we know not what organisms yet to come? Farrar. Meteor (mē'tē-ér), n. [Fr. météore, from Gr. meteoros, raised from the ground meta, beyond, and eōra, aiora, a thing suspended or hovering in the air, from aeiro, to lift, raise up.] 1. Any phenomenon or appearance of a transitory nature which has its origin in the atmosphere, as whirlwinds, hail, rain, snow, halos, the rainbow, &c. Now generally used in the specific sense of-2. A transient fiery or luminous body seen in the atmosphere or in a more elevated region; an aerolite; a shooting-star. The imperial ensign; which, full high advanced, Shone like a meteor, streaming to the wind. Milton. 3. Fig. anything that transiently dazzles or strikes with wonder.

Meteoric (mē-të-or'ik), a. 1. Pertaining to a meteor or meteors; having the nature of a meteor; consisting of meteors; as, meteoric stones; meteoric showers.-2. Fig. transiently or irregularly brilliant; flashing like a meteor.

Anthony Ashley Cooper, third earl of Shaftesbury (grandson of the first earl, the famous meteoric poli tician of the reign of Charles II.), was born in 1671 and died in 1713. Craik.

-Meteoric iron, iron as found in meteoric stones, usually combined with from 1 to 10 per cent. of nickel.-Meteoric stones, aerolites. See AEROLITE.-Meteoric showers, showers of shooting-stars occurring periodically, and especially in the months of August and November. The maximum brilliancy occurs every thirty-three years, and then sometimes for four years in succession there are showers of unusual magnitude. Meteorical (mē-te-or'ik-al), a. Same as Meteoric.

Meteorism (mē’tē-êr-izm), n. In med. flatulent distension of the abdomen. Meteorite (më'të-èr-it), n. A meteorolite. Meteorize (mē'tě-ér-iz), v.i. To take the form of a meteor; to ascend in vapours.

To the end the dews may meteorize and emit their finer spirits. Evelyn. Meteorographic (mě tě-er-ō-graf"ik), a. Pertaining to meteorography. Meteorography (me te-er-og "ra-fi), n. [Gr. meteoron, a meteor, and graphe, description.] Meteorology; specifically, the registration of meteorological phenomena. Meteorolite (me'te-ér-ol-it), n. [Gr. meteōros, high in air, and lithos, a stone.] A meteoric stone; a stone or solid compound of earthy and metallic matter which falls to the earth from space. Called also Aerolite. See AEROLITE. Meteorologic, Meteorological (mē'tē-ér-ōlojik, mě té-ér-ō-loj"ik-al), a. Pertaining

to the atmosphere and its phenomena; relating to the science of meteorology. Meteorological table or register, an account of the state of the air and its temperature, weight, dryness, or moisture, winds, &c., ascertained by the barometer, thermometer, hygrometer, anemometer, and other meteorological instruments.

A

Meteorologist (me'tè-ér-ol"o-jist), n. person skilled in meteors; one who studies the phenomena of meteors or keeps a register of them.

Meteorology (mē 'tě -èr - ol" o-ji), n. [Gr. meteorologia-(ta) meteora, celestial phenomena, from meteoros, high in air, and logos, discourse. See METEOR.] The science which treats of atmospheric phenomena, more especially as connected with or in relation to weather and climate. Meteoromancy (mē"tē-ér-ō-man'si), n. [Gr. meteoron, a meteor, and manteia, divination.] A species of divination by meteoric phenomena, chiefly by thunder and lightning, held in high estimation by the Romans. Meteoroscope (më'të-ér-o-skop), n. [Gr. meteoron, a celestial body, and skopeō, to observe.] An instrument formerly in use for taking the apparent magnitude and the angular distances of heavenly bodies. Meteoroscopy (me'te-er-os"ko-pi), n. The taking of observations with the meteoroscope. Having the

Meteorous (me-te'ér-us), a.
nature of a meteor.

The cherubim descended; on the ground
Gliding meteorous, as evening mist
Risen from a river.

Millon.

Meter (meter), n. [From mete.] One who or that which measures: chiefly used in compounds, or with adjectives, as in coal

162

meter, land-meter, gas-meter, water-meter, hydraulic meter, but often separately in the sense of a gas-meter.

Meter (më tër), n. Same as Metre. Meterage (mē’têr-āj), n. The act of measuring.

Meterer (mēĕ'tér-ér), n. One who writes in metre; a poet. Drayton. Mete-stick (mēt'stik), n. Naut. a stick fixed on a board at right angles, to measure the height of the hold of a ship, and to level the ballast.

Mete-wand (mēt'wond), n. A staff or rod of a certain length used as a measure.

The degree of his moral guilt is not the true index or mete-wand of his condemnation. Coleridge. Mete-yard (mēt’yärd), n. A yard, staff, or rod used as a measure.

Take thou the bill,

Shak.

Give me thy mete-yard, and spare not me. Metheglin (mē-theg'lin), n. [W. meddyglyn -medd, mead, and llyn, liquor.] A liquor made of honey and water boiled and fermented, often enriched with spices. Methinks (me-thingks), v. impers, pp. methought. [A. Sax. me, dat. of first pers. pron., and the impersonal verb thyncan, to seem, to appear; comp. meseems.] It seems to me; it appears to me; I think. [Chiefly used in poetry and elevated prose.]

By Heaven, methinks it were an easy leap, To pluck bright honour from the pale-fac'd moon. Shak. See THINK, to seem. Method (meth'od), n. [Fr. méthode; Gr. methodos-meta, after, and hodos, a way.] 1. A way or mode by which we proceed to the attainment of some aim; mode or manner of procedure: often used of a scientific or logical manner of procedure; as, there are two methods of accomplishing this, which method will you employ? there is a method proper to every department in philosophy.

For Bacon we claim the decided superiority in comprehensiveness of mind. He alone seemed to take in at one glance the whole circumference of human knowledge; he alone knew how to assign to each separate branch its proper position, to detect the prejudices by which it was impeded, and to furnish the true method by which advancement in every F. D. Morell.

case was to be made.

2. (No pl.) (a) Logical or scientific arrangement or mode of procedure; the art of disposing well a series of many thoughts either for the discovering of truth when we are ignorant of it, or for proving it to others when it is already known. Fleming. (b) In ordinary language, systematic or orderly procedure; system; action regulated by rules; as, without method business of any kind will fall into confusion; to carry on farming to advantage, to keep accounts correctly, &c., method is indispensable.

Though this be madness, yet there's method in't.
Shak.

3. In nat. hist. principle of classification; as, the method of Ray; the Linnæan method. SYN. Order, regularity, rule, mode, course, means, system.

Methodic (meth-od'ik), a. Same as Method

ical.

Methodical (meth-od'ik-al), a. Characterized by or exhibiting method; possessing a systematic disposition or arrangement; systematic; orderly; as, the methodical arrangement of the parts of a discourse or of arguments; a methodical treatise; methodical accounts.

Methodically (meth-od'ik-al-li), adv. In a methodical manner; according to natural or convenient order. Methodics (meth-od'iks), n. The science of method; methodology.

Methodism (meth'od-izm), n. The doctrines and worship of the sect of Christians called Methodists.

Methodist (meth'od-ist), n. 1. One characterized by strict adherence to method; specifically, one of a sect of ancient physicians who practised by method or theory.

The opposite extreme was adopted by another sect, who, rejecting observation, founded their doc trine exclusively on reasoning and theory, and these called themselves of pedia, or the methodists. Sir W. Hamilton. 2. A person who lives in the exact observance of religious duties: generally used in contempt or irony as a synonym for a sanctimonious person or a hypocrite.-3. One of a sect of Christians founded by John Wesley, so called from the fact that the name was applied to Wesley and his companions by their fellow-students at Oxford, on account of the exact regularity of their lives, and the strictness of their observance of religious duties.

Then spare our stage, ye methodistic men. Byron. Methodistically (meth-od-ist'ik-al-li), adv. In a methodistical manner. Methodization (meth'od-iz-a"shon), n. The act or process of methodizing or reducing to method; the state of being methodized. The conceptions, then, which we employ for the colligation and methodization of facts, do not develop themselves from within, but are impressed upon the mind from without. F. S. Mill. Methodize (meth'od-iz), v.t. pret. & pp. methodized; ppr. methodizing. To reduce to method; to dispose in due order; to arrange in a convenient manner.

One who brings with him any observations he has made in reading the poets, will find his own reflec tions methodized and explained in the works of a good critic. Spectator.

Methodizer (meth'od-iz-ér), n. One who methodizes.

Methodology (meth-od-ol'o-ji), n. [Gr. methodos, method, and logos, discourse.] The science of method or of classification; a discourse concerning method.

Haller, whose reputation in physiology was as great as that of Linnæus in methodology, rejected it as too merely artificial. Whewell.

Methought (me-that), pret. of methinks. It seemed to me; I thought.

Milton.

Impreg

Methought I saw my late espoused saint Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave. Methule (meth'ül), n. Same as Methyl. Methyl (meth'il), n. [Gr. meta, after, with, and hyle, wood.] (CH.) The name given to the hypothetical radical of wood spirit and its combinations. It is analogous to ethyl in its chemical characters. Methylal (meth'il-al), n. (CHO2.) A liquid product of the oxidation of methylic alcohol. Methylamine (me-thil'a-min), n. (CH, N.) A colourless gas having a strong ammoniacal odour, and resembling ammonia in many of its reactions. When brought in contact with a lighted taper it burns with a livid yellowish flame. Methylamine may be condensed to a liquid; it has not been solidified. It is exceedingly soluble in water. Methylated (meth'il-at-ed), a. nated or mixed with methyl-Methylated spirit, spirit of wine containing 10 per cent. of wood naphtha (methylic alcohol). The naphtha communicates a disagreeable flavour, which renders it unfit for drinking, and for this reason it is admitted duty free. It is of much use in the arts as a solvent, for preserving specimens, in manufacture of varnishes, for burning in spirit-lamps, &c. Methylene (meth'i-lēn), n. [See METHYL.] (CH2) A hypothetical hydro-carbon. Methylic (me-thil'ik), a. Pertaining to or produced from methyl. - Methylic alcohol, alcohol obtained by the destructive distillation of wood. - Methylic ether ((CH3)2O), oxide of methyl, a colourless gas. Metic (mē tik), n. [Gr. metoikos, changing one's abode, emigrating and settling elsewhere-meta, denoting change, and oikos, a house, dwelling.] In ancient Greece, a sojourner; a resident stranger in a Grecian city or place.

Meticulous† (mē-tik'ü-lus), a. [L. meticu losus, from metus, fear.] Timid. 'Melancholy and meticulous heads.' Sir T. Browne. Meticulously (mě-tik'u-lus-li), adv. [See above.] Timidly. Sir T. Browne. Metier (mä-tē-â), n. [Fr.] Profession; specialty; rôle.

Metif (me'tif), n. [Fr. métif, from a L.L. mixtivus, from L. mixtus, pp. of misceo, to mix.] A half-breed between a white and a quarteroon.

Metis (mē'tis), n. [In Greek mythology the personification of prudence, the daughter of Oceanus and Thetys.] One of the small planets or asteroids, between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, discovered by Mr. Graham, an Irish astronomer, April 25, 1848. It revolves round the sun in 1345 65 solar days, and is about two and a half times the distance of the earth from the sun. Metoche (met'o-kë), n. [Gr. metoche, a sharing, from metecho, to share, to dividemeta, with, and echo, to have.] In arch. the interval between the dentils in the Ionie entablature.

METOLEIC

Metoleic (me-to-le'ik), a. [Gr. meta, beyond, after, and E. oleic.] A name applied to an acid produced by the action of sulphuric acid on oleic acid. It is a liquid. Metonic (me-ton'ik), a. Pertaining to Meton, an ancient Athenian astronomer.Metonic cycle, metonic year, the cycle of the moon, or period of nineteen years, in which the lunations of the moon return to the same days of the month: discovered by Metonymic, Metonymical (met-o-nim'ik, met-o-nim'ik-al), a. [See METONYMY.] Pertaining to metonomy; used by way of metonymy.

Metonymically (met-o-nim'ik-al-li), adv. By metonymy. Metonymy (me-ton'i-mi), n. [Gr. metonymia -meta, denoting change, and onoma, a name.] In rhet. a trope in which one word is put for another on account of some actual relation between the things signified; as when we substitute the effect for the cause, the author for his writings, the inventor for the thing invented, &c.; as when we say, We read Virgil,' that is, his poems or writ, ings. They have Moses and the prophets,' that is, their books or writings. A man has a clear head, that is, understanding, intellect; a warm heart, that is, affections. Metope (met'o-pe), n. [Gr. metope-meta, with, between, and ope, an aperture or hollow.] In arch. the space between the triglyphs of the Doric frieze. See TRIGLYPH. Metoposcopic, Metoposcopical (met'opos-kop"ik, met'o-pos-kop'ik-al), a. Relating to metoposcopy.

Metoposcopist (met-o-pos'ko-pist), n. One versed in metoposcopy or physiognomy. Metoposcopy (met-o-pos'ko-pi), n. [Gr. metopon, the forehead, and skopeo, to view.] The study of physiognomy; the art of discovering the character or the dispositions of men by their features or the lines of the face.

Metra (met'ra), n. [Lit. 'measures,' pl. of Gr. metron, a measure.] An ingenious pocket instrument, combining a thermometer, clinometer, goniometer, level, magnifying lens, measure for wire gauze, plummet, platina scales, anemometer, &c., by which the temperature, direction, and dip of rocks, the angles of cleavage and crystallization, the level of workings, the latitude, &c., can be determined.

Metre (meter), n. [Fr. mètre, L. metrum, Gr. metron, a measure. Akin mete (which see).] Rhythmical arrangement of syllables into verses, stanzas, strophes, &c.; rhythm; measure; verse.

Rhyme being no necessary adjunct or true ornament of poem or good verse, in longer works especially, but the invention of a barbarous age to set off wretched matter and lame metre.

METTLE

The archbishops of Canterbury and York are both metropolitans. Hook.

3. In the Greek Ch. the title of a dignitary intermediate between patriarchs and archbishops.

Metropolitanate (met-ro-pol'i-tan-at), n. The office or see of a metropolitan bishop.

A metro

As his wife she (Heloisa) closed against him (Abelard) that ascending ladder of ecclesiastical honours, the priorate, the abbacy, the bishopric, the metropolitanate, the cardinalate, and even that which was beyond and above all. Milman. Metropolite t (me-trop'o-lit), n. politan. Metropolitic, Metropolitical (met-ro-po'li-tik, met'ro-pöl-it'ik-al), a. 1. Pertaining to a metropolis; metropolitan.-2. Eccles. pertaining to a metropolitan. A metropolitical power over the whole island of Crete.' Abp. Sancroft.

Metroscope (met'ro-skop), n. [Gr. mētra, the uterus, and skopeo, to observe.] An instrument for listening to the sounds made by the heart of the fetus in the womb when they are imperceptible through the walls of Metrosideros (me'tro-si-de"ros), n. the abdomen. Dunglison. [Gr.

metre, the heart of a tree, and sideros, iron.] A genus of climbing trees and shrubs, nat. order Myrtaceæ, for the most part natives of the islands of the Pacific. M. vera (true iron-wood) is a tree, a native of Java and Amboyna. Of the wood of this tree the Chinese and Japanese make rudders, anchors, &c., for their ships and boats. The bark is used in Japan as a remedy in dysentery, diarrhoea, and mucous discharges. M. polymorpha grows in the Sandwich Islands, and is said to be the plant from which are made the clubs and other weapons used in warfare by the South Sea Islanders. M. robusta is the rata of New Zealand, where it is employed in ship-building and in other ways. The trees of this genus have thick, opposite, entire leaves, and heads of showy red or white flowers.

Metrotome (met'ro-tōm), n. [Gr. mētra, the womb, and tomos, a cutting, from temno, to cut.] In surg. an instrument used to divide the neck of the uterus. Metroxylon (met-roks'i-lon), n. [Gr. mētra, the heart of a tree, and xylon, wood.] A genus of plants, now known as Sagus. See SAGO.

Mette,t Met,t pret. of the obs. verb meten (A. Sax. matan), to dream. "The lover mette he hath his lady wonne.' Chaucer. It is often used impersonally, me mette, signifying I dreamed.

Mettle (met'l), n. [Merely an altered spelling of metal, which was formerly used in the same sense, though each has now distinctive applications of its own.] 1. Stuff; material; moral or physical constitution.

Every man living shall assuredly meet with an hour of temptation, a certain critical hour, which shall more especially try what mettle his heart is South.

2. Disposition; character; temper; spirit; constitutional ardour; courage; sprightliness; fire. 'Gentlemen of brave mettle." Shak. A lad of mettle.' Shak.

The winged courser, like a generous horse,
Shows most true mettle when you check his course.
Pope.

They were all knights of mettle true, Kinsmen to the bold Buccleuch. Sir W. Scott. -To put a man on or to his mettle, to stimulate a man to do his uttermost; to put a man in a position where he must do his utmost.

The

Mettlesomely (met'l-sum-li), adv. With mettle or sprightliness, or high spirit. Mettlesomeness (met'l-sum-nes), n. state of being mettlesome or high-spirited. Metwand (met'wand), n. Same as Metewand. Meum (me'um), n. [Gr. meion, less-in allusion to the leaves.] A genus of plants of the nat. order Umbelliferæ. The species are natives of the upland parts of Europe, having deeply divided leaves and white or purple flowers.

Meum (me'um). [L.] Mine; that which is mine: commonly used in the phrase meum and tuum, meaning what belongs to one's self and what belongs to any one else. Meute (mut), n. [L.L. muta, a mew. See MEW.] A mew for hawks.

The cloisters became the camps or their retainers, the stables of their coursers, the kennels of their hounds, the meutes of their hawks. Milman. Mevable,+ a. Movable. Chaucer. Mevet (měv), v.t. To move. Mew (mu), n. [A. Sax. maw, a gull or mew; cog. Sc. maw, D. meeuw, G. mewe, möve, Icel. már, a mew or sea-gull.] A seamew; a gull.

Mew (mu), n. [Fr. mue, a moulting, a changing the feathers, a mew or cage, from muer, to moult, and L.L. muta, a mew, both from L. mutare, to change.] 1. A cage for hawks or other birds while mewing or moulting; also, a coop in which fowls were kept. 'Nests and perches, and mewes.' Bp. Hall. Hence-2. An inclosure; a place of confinement in general. 'Forth coming from her darksome mew.' Spenser.-3. pl. A stable. See MEWS.

Mew (mu), v.t. [In meaning 1 from Fr. muer, to mew; in 2 from the noun.] 1. To shed or cast; to change; to moult; as, the hawk mewed his feathers.

He may spread his feathers for a time, but he will mew them soon after. Bacon.

Nine times the moon had mew'd her horns. Dryden. 2. To shut up; to inclose; to confine, as in a cage or other inclosure. 'More pity that the eagle should be mew'd.' Shak. Close mew'd in their sedans for fear of air.' Dryden.

Mew (mu), v.i. To cast the feathers; to moult; hence, to change; to put on a new appearance.

Mew (mu), v.i. [Imitative, and also written meaw, miaw, &c. Comp. W. mewian, G. miauen, Sc. myaw, to mew.] To cry as a cat.

Thrice the brindled cat hath mewed.

Mew (mu), n. The cry of a cat.

Shak.

I'd rather be a kitten, and cry mew, Than one of these same metre-ballad-mongers. Shak. Mewe,+ n. A mew; a place of secrecy or concealment.-In mewe, in secret. Chaucer. Mewet, a. Mute. In mewet, dumbly; speaking inwardly. Chaucer.

Mewl (mül), v.i. [Imitative; comp. mew, miaul, Fr. miauler, Sc. myaul, to cry like a child.] To cry or squall, as a child. At first the infant

Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms. Shak. Mewl (mül), n. The cry of a child. Mewler (mül'èr), n. Öne that squalls or mewls.

Mews (müz), n. pl. [See MEW, a cage.] 1. The royal stables in London, so called because built where the king's hawks were once mewed or confined; hence, a place where carriage-horses are kept in large towns.-2. (Used as a sing.) A lane or alley in which stables or mews are situated; as, he lives up a mews.

Mr. Turveydrop's great room... was built into a mews at the back.

Dickens.

Mexican (meks'i-kan), n. A native or inhabitant of Mexico. Mexican (meks'i-kan), a. Of or belonging to Mexico or its inhabitants.-Mexican lily, Amaryllis reginæ, nat. order Amaryllidaceae, a plant with beautiful scarlet flowers. Mexican tiger-flower, Tigridia pavonina, nat. order Iridaceæ, a plant with beautiful yellow or orange spotted flowers, cultivated in our gardens.

Till with his elder brother Themis
His brackish waves he meynt.

Spenser. Mezereon, Mezereum (me-zē’rë-on, me-zë'ré-um), n. [Fr. mézéreon, Sp. mezereon, from Ar. and Per. mázariyûn, the camellia.] A plant of the genus Daphne (D. Mezereon). See DAPHNE.

Mezuzoth (mez'u-zoth), n. The name given to certain pieces of parchment anciently attached to the door-post of a house. Weale. Mezzanine (metʼza-nën), n. [Fr.; It. mezzanino, from mezzo, middle. See MEZZO.] In arch. (a) a story of small height introduced between two higher ones; an entresol. (b) A window less in height than breadth; a window in an entresol.

Mezzo (med'zō), a. [It., from L. medius, middle.] In music, middle; mean. -Mezzo voce, with a medium fulness of sound. Mezzo soprano, a treble voice of medium range, lower than soprano and higher than contralto.

Mezzorilievo (med'zō-rē-lē”vō or met'zō-rēlē-a"vo), n. [It. mezzorelievo.] Middle relief.

Mezzotint (med'zō-tint), n. Same as Mezzotinto.

Mezzotinter (med'zō-tint-ér), n. One who practises mezzotinto engraving. Mezzotinto (med-zō-tin'tō), n. [It. mezzo, middle, half, and tinto, tint, from L. tinctus, painted.] A particular manner of engraving on copper or steel in imitation of painting in Indian ink, the lights and gradations being scraped and burnished out of a prepared dark ground. The surface of the plate is first completely covered with minute incisions, so that it would give in this condition a uniform black impression. The design is then drawn on the face, and the dents are erased from the parts where the lights of the piece are to be, the parts which are to represent shades being left untouched or partially scraped according to the depth of tone.

Mezzotinto (med'zō-tin-tō), v. t. To engrave in mezzotinto.

Mhorr (mōr), n. Same as Mohr.

Mi (mě), n. The third note in the musical scale, between re and fa. Miargyrite (mi-är'ji-rit), n. [Gr. meion, less, and argyros, silver, from its containing comparatively little silver.] In mineral, a mineral of an iron-black colour, and very sectile, consisting principally of sulphur, antimony, and silver.

Miaskite, Miascite (mi'ask-it), n. [From Miask in Siberia, where it is found.] A granitic rock in which elæolite, the large crystalline form of nephelite, replaces quartz. Miasm (mi'azm), n. Same as Miasma. Miasma (mi-azʼma), n. pl. Miasmata (mias'ma-ta). [Gr. miasma, miasmatos, from miaino, to stain, to sully, to defile.] Infecting substances floating in the air; the effluvia or fine particles of any putrefying bodies, rising and floating in the atmosphere, and considered to be noxious to health. Noxious emanation; malaria. Also in form miasm. 'Pestilential miasms.' Harvey.

The word miasm has, by some, been employed synonymously with contagion. It is now used more definitely for any emanation, either from the bodies of the sick, or from animal and vegetable substances, or from the earth, especially in marshy districts. Dunglison. Miasmal (mi-az'mal), a. Containing miasma; miasmatic. Miasmatic, Miasmatical (mi-az-mat'ik, mi-az-mat'ik-al), a. Pertaining to miasma; partaking of the qualities of noxious effluvia.

Miasmatist (mī-az'ma-tist), n. One versed in the phenomena and nature of exhalations; one who understands the character and effects of miasmata.

A

Miasmology (mi-az-mol'o-ji), n. [Gr. mias ma, pollution, and logos, discourse. ] treatise on miasma; the science of miasmata.

Miaul (myal), v.i. [Imitative; comp. mew, mewl.] To cry as a cat or kitten; to mew.

I mind a squalling woman no more than a miauling kitten. Sir W. Scott. Mica (mi'ka), n. [L. mico, to glitter.] A mineral of a foliated structure, consisting of thin flexible laminæ or scales, having a shining and almost metallic lustre. These are sometimes parallel, sometimes interwoven, sometimes wavy or undulated, sometimes representing filaments. The lamina of mica are easily separated, and are sometimes not more than the 300,000th part of an inch in thickness.

MICKLE

The plates are sometimes as large as 18 inches diameter. They are employed in Russia for window panes, and in that state are called muscovy-glass. Mica enters into the composition of the crystalline rocks, as granite, gneiss, mica schists, chlorites, talcose rocks, and occurs in trappean and volcanic products. It is found also in many sedimentary rocks, as shales and sandstones, giving them their laminated texture. In the latter case, it is derived from the disintegration of the crystalline rocks. It is essentially a silicate of alumina, with which are variously combined small proportions of the silicates of potash, soda, lithia, oxide of iron, oxide of manganese, &c., in accordance with which several species have been constituted, as common or potash mica, lithia mica, magnesia mica, pearl mica. In the talcs, especially the softer and soapier varieties, the alumina is nearly entirely replaced by magnesia. Regarded as minerals, its varieties have received the names of biotite, lepidolite, muscovite, lepidomelane, steatite, &c. - Mica schist, mica slate, a metamorphic rock, composed of mica and quartz; it is highly fissile and passes by insensible gradations into clay-slate. Micaceo-calcareous (mi-ka'shë-ō-kal-kā”re-us), a. In geol. containing mica and lime; specifically, applied to a mica schist containing carbonate of lime.

Micaceous (mi-ka'shus), a. Pertaining to or containing mica; resembling mica or partaking of its properties-Micaceous iron ore, a variety of oxide of iron, occurring generally in amorphous masses composed of thin six-sided laminæ. - Micaceous rocks, rocks of which mica is the chief ingredient, as mica slate and clay-slate. - Micaceous schist, mica schist (which see under MICA). Mich. See MICHE. Mice (mis), n. pl. of mouse.

Michael (mi'kel), n. A St. Michael's orange; a fine kind of sweet orange brought from the island of St. Michael's, one of the Azores. Dickens.

Michaelite (mikel-it), n. In mineral. a white, pearly, fibrous variety of opal: so called from the island of St. Michael's, Azores, where it is found.

Michaelmas (mik'el-mas), n. [Michael, and mass, a feast.] 1. The feast of St. Michael, the archangel. It falls on the 29th of September, and is supposed to have been established towards the close of the fifth century. In England, Michaelmas is one of the regular terms for settling rents.-Michaelmas head court, in Scotland, the annual meeting of the freeholders and commissioners of supply of a county, held at Michaelmas for various county purposes.2. Autumn. [Colloq.]- Michaelmas daisy, a name applied to various species of aster, which are common inhabitants of flowerborders, blooming about Michaelmas. Miche, Mich (mich), v.i. [Probably from O. Fr. muchier, mucher, mucier, Fr. musser, to hide, to skulk; of unknown origin. The word is used in the dialects in senses similar to those given below, as also mooch, mouch, which seem to be kindred forms.] 1. To lie hid; to skulk; to retire or shrink from view. 'Or miche in corners among their friends idly.' Spenser.

To miche, or secretly to hide himself out of the way, as truants do from school. Minshew.

2 To be guilty of anything done in secret; as, to carry on an illicit amour, or to pilfer secretly. See MICHER. Michelia (mi-kel'i-a), n. [After Micheli, a Florentine botanist of the early part of the eighteenth century.] A genus of fine lofty trees natives of India and other parts of the East, nearly allied to the genus Magnolia. Several of the species yield useful timber as well as products used in medicine. For the M. Champaca, remarkable for the fragrance of its flowers, see CHAMPAC.

Micher (mich'èr), n. [See MICHE.] One who skulks, or creeps out of sight; a truant; a thief. [Obsolete or provincial.]

Shall the blessed sun of heaven prove a micher and eat blackberries? Shak. What, turn micher, steale a wife, and not make your old friends acquainted with it. Old play. Michery+ (mich'èr-i), n. Theft; cheating. Miching (mich'ing), p. and a. Retiring; skulking; creeping from sight; mean; cowardly. Shak. [Obsolete or provincial.] Mickle (mik1), a. [A. Sax. micel, mycel, Icel. mikill, Goth. mikils, Sc. meikle, mickle, muckle. An old and northern form corre