merciless She hauled me to the wash-stand, inflicted a merciless, but happily brief scrub on my face and hands with soap, water, and a coarse towel. Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, iv. 2. Without hope of mercy. [Rare.] And all dismayd through mercilesse despaire. Spenser, F. Q., IV. viii. 51. =Syn. 1. Unmerciful, severe, inexorable, unrelenting, barbarous, savage. mercilessly (mer'si-les-li), adv. In a merciless manner; cruelly. mercilessness (mèr'si-les-nes), n. The quality of being merciless; want of mercy or pity. mercimentt (mér'si-ment), n. See merce ment. mercurammonium (mér ku-ra-mo'ni-um), n. attributed to Mercury. = His foot Mercurial, his Martial thigh. Shak., Cymbeline, iv. 2. 310. To see thee yong, yet manage so thine armes, Have a mercuriall mince and martiall hands. Stirling, A Paræenesis to Prince Henry, 2. Like Mercury in character; having the moral or mental qualities ascribed to the god Mercury, or supposed by astrologists to belong to those under his star, the planet Mercury; lighthearted; gay; active; sprightly; flighty; fickle; changeable; volatile. He is... of a disposition, perhaps, rather too mercurial for the chamber of a nervous invalid. Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, I. 201. Mercurial races are never sublime. De Quincey, Secret Societies, ii. 3. Pertaining to Mercury as god of trade; hence, pertaining to trade or money-making: as, mercurial pursuits. His [Monson's] mind being more martial than mercurial,... he applied himself to sea-service. Wood, Athenæ Oxon., I. Properties pertaining to the practice of the law, as well as to the mercurial profession. P. Whitehead, Gymnasiad, i., note. 4+. Pertaining to Mercury as herald; hence, giving intelligence; pointing out; directing. As the traveller is directed by a mercurial statue. Chillingworth, Religion of Protestants. 5. Pertaining or relating to mercury or quicksilver. (a) Containing or consisting of quicksilver or mercury: as, mercurial preparations or medicines. (b) Characterized by the use of mercury: as, mercurial treatment. (c) Caused by the use of mercury: as, a mercurial disease. -Hepatic mercurial ore, cinnabar.-Mercurial bath, erethism, gage. See the nouns.-Mercurial gilding. Same as wash-gilding.- Mercurial horn-ore. Same as calomel.-Mercurial level, ointment, pendulum, thermometer, etc. See the nouns. II. n. 1t. A person possessing any of the attributes of the god Mercury; one of mercurial temperament; a sprightly person; also, one given to trickery; a cheat or thief. Come, brave mercurials, sublim'd in cheating, T. Tomkis (?), Albumazar, i. 1. 2. A preparation of mercury used as a drug. The question with the modern physician is not, as with the ancient, . . . Shall mercurials be administered? H. Spencer, Study of Sociology, p. 21. mercurialine (mer-kü'ri-al-in), n. [< mercurial +ine2.] A volatile alkaloid (CHN) extracted from the leaves and seed of Mercurialis annua. It is a poisonous oily liquid, isomeric and possibly identical with methylamine. Mercurialis (mér-ku-ri-a'lis), n. [NL. (Tournefort, 1700), L. mercurialis, sc. herba, a plant, prob. dog's-mercury: see mercurial.] A genus of plants of the natural order Euphorbiacea, the tribe Crotone, and the subtribe Acalyphew. It is composed of 6 species of herbs native in Europe, the Med iterranean region, and eastern Asia. M. perennis, the dog's-mercury, is a poisonous weed, with a simple erect stem six or eight inches high, the oblong or ovate-lanceolate leaves crowded on its upper half; the flowers are dicecious on slender axillary peduncles. M. tomentosa of the Mediterranean region was long supposed to have the power of determining the sex of children according as the mother drank the juice of the male or of the female plant. See mercury, 8, and boy's, girl's, and golden mercury (under mercury). The other patient, on the contrary, showed no signs of Mercurialists are solitary, much in contemplation, sub- tile. 2. A physician much given to the use of mer- He who with a deepe insight marketh the nature of our Greene, Farewell to Follie. Premature delivery appeared to follow the mercuriali- mercurialize (mér-kūʼri-al-iz), v.; pret. and pp. II. trans. 1. To treat or impregnate with mer- 2. In med., to affect with mercury, as the bod- Also spelled mercurialise. The mercurian heavenly charme of hys rhetorique. A. M. Clarke, Astron. in 19th Cent. It remains that I perform the promise I made of adding A part only of the metal is mercurified. A chapeau with wings, to denote the mercuriousnesse of [< mercur-y+ the Sp. Pg. It. Mercurio, L. Mercurius, Mercury (the deity and planet), so called (appar.) as the god of trade, merx (merc-), mer 1. chandise, wares: see Mercury.- Statue of Greek workmanship, in the British Museum, London. Following the mirror of all Christian kings, ven. newspapers. Those who sell them [news-books] by wholesale from 4t. [1. c.] Warmth or liveliness of tempera- He was so full of mercury that he could not fix long in 6. [1. c.] Chemical symbol, Hg; atomic weight, salts of mercury are mercurous chlorid (HgCl) or calo 7. [1. c.] The column of quicksilver in a ther- Mercury Whatever may be the height of the mercury [in the barometer], a sudden and rapid fall is a sure sign of foul weather. R. Strachan, in Modern Meteorology, p. 80. 8. [1. c.] (a) A plant of the genus Mercurialis, chiefly M. perennis, the dog's-mercury, locally called Kentish balsam (which see, under Kentish), and M. annua, the annual or French mercury. See Mercurialis. (b) In older usage, the Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus. See allgood and good-King-Henry. This is the English, false, or wild mercury.-9. In her., the tincture purple, when blazoning is done by the planets.-Argental mercury. See argental.-Baron's mercury (prob. orig. barren mercury], the male plant of Mercurialis perennis. Boy's mercury, the female plant of Mercurialis annua (the sexes having been mistaken).-Corneous mercury. Same as calomel.-Extinction of mercury. See extinction. Girl's mercury, the male plant of Mercurialis annua. See male1, 2.-Golden mercury, Mercurialis perennis, var. aurea.- Hydrosublimate of mercury, a trade-name for calomel prepared by condensing the vapor of mercurous chlorid with steam in a large receiver, which causes it to deposit in an impalpable powder absolutely free from any trace of corrosive sublimate.- Mercury agometer. See agometer. Mercury air-pump, an apparatus used for producing a vacuum, consisting essentially of a reservoir above from which mercury flows down through a small vertical tube, the vessel to be exhausted being attached at the side (at C in the figure) at a height something more than 30 inches above the lower receptacle. The descending drops of mercury carry with them portions of the air or other gas from the receiver, and if the process is long continued, the supply vessel at the top being kept full, a nearly perfect vacuum may be obtained. This form of air-pump is often called a Sprengel pump. It gives a much higher degree of exhaustion than is possible with the ordinary mechanical air-pump, and is much used not only in physical experiments but also for practical purposes, for example in removing the air from the glass bulbs of the incandescent electric lamps. - Mount of Mercury, in palmistry. See mount 1,6.- Native or virgin mercury, the pure metal found in the form of globules in cavities of the ores of this metal. - Three-seeded mercury, a plant of the genus Acalypha, of the same family as Mercurialis, and more or less similar in appearance. The fruit splits into three two-valved one-seeded nutlets. It is a large genus, chiefly tropical or subtropical. Many of the species are shrubby; a few (mostly herbaceous) are found in the United States. -Transit of Mercury, a passage of Mercury over the disk of the sun. -Vegetable mercury, a Brazilian plant, Franciscea uniflora, also called manaca. See Franciscea. mercuryt (mer'ku-ri), v. t. [< mercury, n.] To wash with a preparation of mercury. Mercury Air-pump. The letter C marks the point where the vessel to be exhausted is attached. They are as tender as . . . a lady's face new mercuried. B. Jonson, Cynthia's Revels, i. 1. mercury-cup (mèr'ku-ri-kup), n. 1. The cistern of a mercury barometer, which is filled with mercury and in which the lower end of the barometer-tube is inserted.-2. A small open cup containing mercury, used in electrical instruments and apparatus as a connection for conductors. The cup may be of conducting material and connected with one end of the wire forming the circuit, in which case the circuit will be closed by inserting the other end of the wire in the mercury; or the cup may be of non-conducting material, in which case both ends of the wire must be inserted in the mercury to close the circuit. mercury-furnace (mèr'ku-ri-fer" nas), n. A furnace in which cinnabar is roasted in order to cause the pure mercury to pass off in fumes, which are condensed in a series of vessels. mercury-gatherer (mer'ku-ri-gaтн ́èr-ér), n. In metal-working, a stirring apparatus which causes quicksilver that has become floured or mixed with sulphur in amalgamating to resume the fluid condition, through the agency of mechanical agitation and rubbing. E. H. Knight. mercury-goosefoot (mêr'ku-ri-gös füt), n. Same as mercury, 8 (b). mercy-seat (mèr'si-set), n. The place of mercy or forgiveness; the propitiatory; specifically, the covering of the ark of the covenant among the Jews. This was of gold, surmounted at each end by a cherub with outstretched wings. On this covering the blood of the yearly atonement was sprinkled, and from this place God gave his oracles to Moses or to the high priest. Hence, to approach the mercy-seat is to draw near to God in prayer. mercy (mér'si), n.; pl. mercies (-siz). [< ME. A man witheout marsi no marsi shall have In tyme of ned when he dothe it crave. MS. Ashmole 46. (Halliwell.) The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Num. xiv. 18. A woman's mercy is very little, But a man's mercy is more. Sir Hugh, or the Jew's Daughter (Child's Ballads, III. 334). The sentiment of mercy is the natural recoil which the laws of the universe provide to protect mankind from destruction by savage passions. Emerson, John Brown. 2. An act or exercise of forbearance, good will, or favor; also, a kindness undeserved or unexpected; a fortunate or providential circumstance; a blessing: as, it is a mercy that they escaped. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies. which thou hast shewed unto thy servant. Gen. xxxii. 10. E'en a judgment, making way for thee, Seems in their eyes a mercy for thy sake. Cowper, Task, ii. 182. 3. Pity; compassion; benevolence: as, a work of mercy. In coueitise lyued haue y, And neuere dide werkis of mercyes. Hymns to Virgin, etc. (E. E. T. 8.), p. 99. Which now of these three. . . was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Luke x. 36, 37. 4. Discretionary action; unrestrained exercise of the will and the power to punish and to spare: as, to be at one's mercy (that is, wholly in one's power). At length, vpon their submission, the king tooke them to mercie, vpon their fine, which was seized at twentie thousand marks. Holinshed, Hen. III., an. 1265. And the offender's life lies in the mercy Beau, and F., Knight of Malta, v. 2. A lover is ever complaining of cruelty while anything is denied him; and when the lady ceases to be cruel, she is, from the next moment, at his mercy. Swift. Covenanted mercies. See covenant. Fathers of Mercy, the name of a society of Roman Catholic missionary priests, founded in France in 1806 and introduced into the United States in 1842. For mercy! for mercy's sake! an exclamation, usually an appeal to pity. Myself am Naples; Who with mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld The king my father wreck'd. Mir. Alack, for mercy! Shak., Tempest, i. 2. 437. God-a-mercyt. See God1.-Great mercyt. [Imitated from gramercy, ME. grant mercy. See gramercy.] Great favor. Fer. Great mercy, sure, for to enlarge a thrall Whose freedom shall thee turne to greatest scath! Spenser, F. Q., II. v. 18. Sisters of Mercy. See sisterhood. -Spiritual and corporal works of mercy. In the middle ages, seven great works of mercy were enumerated called the spiritual and as many called the corporal works of mercy. The seven works of corporal mercy are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit prisoners, visit the sick, harbor strangers, bury the dead; of spiritual mercy, to convert sinners, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, console the afflicted, bear wrongs patiently, forgive injuries, pray for the living and the dead. Cath. Dict. In fulfillynge of Godis commandmentis and of the seven dedis of mercy bodili and gostly to a manys euen cristen. Rolle, quoted in Hampole's Prose Treatises (E. E. T. S.), [Pref., p. xi. To cry (one) mercy. (a) See cry, v. (b) To proclaim a tax. =Syn. 1. Clemency, etc. See leniency. mercyt,v. t. [<ME. mercien, < OF. mercier, thank, n., and ef. merce, amerce.] 1. To thank. also fine, merci, thank, mercy, fine: see mercy, mercury-holder (mér'ku-ri-höl'der), n. A vulcanite cup, with a cover, used by dentists in 2. preparing amalgam. Mercury's-violet (mer'ku-riz-vip-let), n. The common canterbury-bell, Campanula Medium. Mildeliche thenne Meede merciede hem alle Of heore grete goodnesse. Piers Plowman (A), iii. 21. To fine; amerce. Forsters did somoun, enquered vp & doun stock. merdt (mèrd), n. [Also mard; < OF. (and F.) merde Pr. merga Sp. mierda Pg. It. merda, crement. < L. merda, dung, ordure.] Ordure; dung; exIf after thou of garlike stronge The savour wilt expell, A mard is sure the onely meane To put away the smell. = Kendall's Flowers of Epigrammes (1577). (Nares.) Haire o' th' head, burnt clouts, chalk, merds, and clay. B. Jonson, Alchemist, ii. 1. Merdivoræ (mer-div'ō-rē), n. pl. [NL., fem. pl. of merdivorus: see merdivorous.] A group of dipterous insects which feed upon dung. merdivorous (mer-div'o-rus), a. [< NL. merdivorus, L. merda, dung, + vorare, devour.] Feeding upon excrement; devouring dung. merel (mer), n. [Formerly also meer, meere, mear; ME. mere, meere, < AS. mere, a lake, pool, the sea, OS. meri, a lake, OFries. mar, a ditch, MD. mare, maer, D. meer, meir=OHG. mari, mari, meri, meri, MHG. mer, G. meer = Icel. marr Goth. marei, a lake; = W. mōr = Gael. Ir. muir = Lith. marés Russ. more = L. mare (> It. mare Pg. Sp. Pr. mar OF. mer, mier, meir, F. mer), sea, ML. also mara, > OF. and F. mare, f., a lake, pool, pond; cf. Skt. maru, desert, <mar, die: see mort1, mortal. Hence in comp. mermaid, merman, etc.; and ult. deriv. marsh, marish.] A pool; a small lake cially in some local names, in imitation of Britor pond. [Not used in the U. S., except artifiish names: as, Harlem mere in Central Park in New York.] = = Then he wendez his way, wepande for care, As two Fishes, cast into a Meer, Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Weeks, ii., The Colonies. On the edge of the mere the Prince of Orange had already ordered a cluster of forts to be erected. Motley, Dutch Republic, II. 431. mere2 (mer), n. [Formerly also meer, meere, mear, meare; ME. meer, mere, < AS. gemære = D. meer, a limit, boundary, = Icel. mærr, border-land.] 1. A boundary; boundary-line. The furious Team, that on the Cambrian side Doth Shropshire as a meare from Hereford divide. Drayton, Polyolbion. (Nares.) As it were, a common mear between lands. Abp. Ussher, Ans. to Malone, p. 309. 2. A balk or furrow serving as a boundary- or dividing-line in a common field; also, a boundary-stone; a merestone. [Obsolete or provincial.]-3. A private carriage-road. [North. Eng.]-4. A measure of 29 or 31 yards in the Peak of Derbyshire in England. It is defined by Blount as "29 yards in the low Peak of Derbyshire and 31 in the high." Mining claims were measured by meres, the discoverer of a lode being allowed to claim two meres. mere2+ (mer), v. [Also meer, mear, etc.; < mere2, n.] I. trans. To limit; bound; divide or cause division in. That brave honour of the Latine name, Which mear'd her rule with Africa and Byze. Spenser, Ruins of Rome, st. 22. At such a point, When half to half the world opposed, he being The meered question. Shak., A. and C., iii. 13. 10. II. intrans. To set divisions and bounds. For bounding and mearing, to him that will keepe it justely, it is a bond that brideleth power and desire. North's Pl., L 55. D. (Nares.) mere3 (mer), a. [Early mod. E. also meer, meere; = OF. mer, mier Pr. mer, mier Sp. Pg. It. mero,<L. merus, pure, unmixed (as wine), hence bare, only, mere.] 1. Pure; sheer; unmixed. For neither can he fly, nor other harme, But trust unto his strength and manhood meare. Spenser, F. Q., II. xi. 34. The most part of them are degenerated and growen allmost meere Irish. Spenser, State of Ireland. Our wine is here mingled with water and with myrrh; there [in the world to come] it is mere and unmixed. Jer. Taylor, Worthy Communicant. on God. mere 24. Absolute; unqualified; utter; whole; in the fullest sense. Those who, being in mere misery, continually do call Munday (Arber's Eng. Garner, I. 204). Certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet. Shak., Othello, ii. 2. 3. Signor Francisco, whose mere object now Is woman at these years, that's the eye-saint, I know, Amongst young gallants. Middleton, The Widow, v. 1. Although there is such plenty of fish and fowle and wild beasts, yet are they so lasie they will not take paines to catch it till meere hunger constraine them. Capt. John Smith, Works, II. 228. 3. Sheer; simple; nothing but (the thing mentioned); only: as, it is mere folly to do so; this is the merest trash. "Tis a mere toy to you, sir: candle-rents. B. Jonson, Volpone, v. 4. Forc'd of meer Necessity to eat, He comes to pawn his Dish, to buy his Meat. Congreve, tr. of Satires of Juvenal, xi. A mere courtier, a mere soldier, a mere scholar, a mere anything, is an insipid pedantic character. Addison, The Man of the Town. Mere right, in law, the right of property without possession. Syn. Mere, Bare. Mere is much oftener used than bare. Bare is positive; mere essentially negative. Strictly, bare means only without other things, or no more than: as, the bare mention of a name. Mere seems to imply deficiency: as, mere conjecture; mere folly. In implying smallness of amount it is sometimes the same as bare. In pressed by "a mere bodkin." Shakspere, Hamlet, iii. 1, "a bare bodkin" might be exmere3+ (mēr), adv. [< mere3, a.] Absolutely; wholly. On my faith, your highness Is mere mistaken in me. merestead (mer'sted), n. [Formerly also meerstead, mearstead; < mere2 + stead.] The land within a particular mere or boundary; a farm. The men were intent on their labours, Busy with hewing and building, with garden plot and with merestead. Longfellow, Courtship of Miles Standish, viii. merestone (mēr'stōn), n. [Formerly also meerstone, meerestone; < ME. merestone, merestane; < mere2+ stone.] 1. A stone to mark a boundary. The mislaier of a meere stone is to blame. But it is the unjust judge that is the capitall remover of land-markes, when he defineth amisse of lands and property. Bacon, Judicature. 2. Figuratively, a limit. That you contain the jurisdiction of the court within the ancient merestones, without removing the mark. Bacon, Speech to Hutton (Works, XIII. 202). mereswinet, meerswinet, n. [ME. mereswyne, etc., OF. marsouin; merel + swine.] A dolphin or porpoise. Grassede as a mereswyne with corkes fulle huge. Morte Arthure (E. E. T. S.), 1. 1091. mere-tree (mēr ́trē), n. Same as mere-stake. A meere tree, a tree which is for some bound or limit of land. Nomenclator (1585). (N. and Q., 7th ser., V. 191.) meretrician (mer-e-trish'an), a. [= OF. meretricien, <L.meretrix (-tric-), a prostitute, +-ian.] Of or pertaining to prostitutes; meretricious. Take from human commerce Meretrician amours. Tom Brown, Works, III. 263. (Davies.) Fletcher, Mad Lover, iii. 4. meretricious (mer-e-trish'us), a. [= Sp. Pg. It. meretricio, L. meretricius, of or pertaining to prostitutes, meretrix, a prostitute: see meretrix.] 1. Of or pertaining to prostitutes; wanton; libidinous. I know I shall produce things meere devine. Marston, The Fawne, ii. 1. mere4+ (mer), a. [ME., also meere, mare, AS. mare, mēre OS. māri OHG. mari, MHG. mære Icel. mærr= Goth. mērs (in comp. wailamērs), famous; akin to L. memor, mindful, remembering, Skt. √ smar, Zend mar, remember: see memory.] Famous. meret, n. A Middle English form of mare1. meregoutte (mar'göt), n. [F. mère-goutte, L. merus, pure, unmixed, + gutta (> F. goutte), a drop: see mere3 and gout1.] The first running of must, oil, etc., from the fruit before pressure has been applied to it: usually limited to the juice of the grape. merelst, n. [Also merelles, merils; ME. merels, < OF. merelle, a game, nine men's morris, F. mérelle, marelle, hopscotch, < merel (ML. merellus, merallus), a counter, token, a piece in draughts, also a game.] A game also called fivepenny or nine men's morris, played with counters or pegs. See morris1. Merelles, or, as it was formerly called in England, nine men's morris, and also five-penny morris, is a game of some antiquity. Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, p. 416. merely (mēr'li), adv. [Formerly also meerly; <ME. merely; < mere3 + -ly22.] 1. Absolutely; wholly; completely; utterly. What goodes, catalles, Jewels, plate, ornamentes, or other stuff, do merely belong or apperteyne to all the sayd promocions. English Gilds (E. E. T. S.), p. 197. I wish you all content, and am as happy 2. Simply; solely; only. The meretricious world claps our cheeks, and fondles us unto failings. Feltham, Resolves, i. 26. tions of the world. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, Is. xxiii. 17. 2. Alluring by false attractions; having a gaudy but deceitful appearance; tawdry; showy: as, Her deceitful and meretricious traffick with all the na meretricious dress or ornaments. Pride and artificial gluttonies do but adulterate nature, making our diet healthless, our appetites impatient and unsatisfiable, and the taste mixed, fantastical, and meretricious. Jer. Taylor, Holy Living, ii. 6. A tawdry carpet, all beflowered and befruited - such a meretricious blur of colors as a hotel offers for vulgar feet to tread upon. T. Winthrop, Cecil Dreeme, xxxviii. meretriciously (mer-e-trish'us-li), adv. In a meretricious manner; with false allurement; tawdrily; with vulgar show. meretriciousness (mer-e-trish'us-nes), n. The quality of being meretricious; false show or allurement; vulgar finery. meretrix (mer ́ē-triks), n. merere, earn, gain, serve for pay: see merit.] 1. A prostitute; a harlot. [L., a prostitute, < A beautiful piece, Hight Aspasia, the meretrix. B. Jonson, Volpone, i. 1. That she [Cynthia] was a meretrix is clear from many indications- her accomplishments, her house in the SubEncyc. Brit., XIX. 813. 2. [cap.] [NL.] A genus of bivalves: same as Cytherea. Lamarck, 1799. ura. Excusing his [Mahomet's] sensuall felicities in the life Merganetta (mér-ga-net'), n. [NL., < Mergus to come, as meerly allegoricall, and necessarily fitted to rude and vulgar capacities. Sandys, Travailes, p. 46. + Gr. virra, a duck.] A remarkable genus of Anatida, combining characters of mergansers with those of ordinary ducks, and having furthermore a sharp spur on the bend of the wing; the torrent-ducks. See torrent-duck. Merganettinæ (merga-ne-ti'ne), n. pl. [NL., Merganetta + -ing.] A subfamily of Anatide constituted by the genus Merganetta. merganser (mèr-gan'sèr), n. [NL. (> Sp. mergansar), L. mergus, a diver (water-fowl), + [<anser, goose: see Mergus and Anser.] 1. A bird The prayers are commonly performed merely as a matter of ceremony. E. W. Lane, Modern Egyptians, I. 212. merenchyma (me-reng'ki-mä), n. [NL., < Gr. μépos, a part, + (rap)é xvua, in mod. sense 'parenchyma: see parenchyma.] In bot., an imperfect cellular tissue composed of more or less rounded cells and abundant in intercellular spaces. Cooke. merenchymatous (mer-eng-kim'a-tus), a. merenchyma (t-)+-ous.] Having the structure or appearance of merenchyma. meresaucet, n. [<ME. meresauce; appar. < OF. mure (ML. muria), pickle, brine, sauce, sauce. Cf. OF. saulmure, pickle.] Brine or pickle for flesh or fish. Prompt. Parv., p. 334; Palsgrave. meresman (mērz'man), n. [Formerly also mearsman, meersman; mere's, poss. of mere2, + man.] One who points out boundaries. [Obsolete or local.] The use of the word "mere" has been revived in the meresmen of an Act of Parliament a few years since for ascertaining the boundaries of parishes. N. and Q., 7th ser., V. 291. mere-stake (mērʼstāk), n. A pollard or tree standing as a mark or boundary for the division Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus). of the genus Mergus or subfamily Mergine, family Anatida; a sawbill, garbill, or fishing-duck. Meriania A merganser resembles a duck, but has a cylindrical instead of a depressed bill, with a hooked nail at the end, and a serration of very prominent back-set teeth. Several species are among the common water-fowls of the northern hemisphere. The common merganser or goosander, Mergus merganser or Merganser castor, is about 2 feet long, and nearly 3 in extent of wings. In the male the upper parts are glossyblack varied with white on the wings, the lower paris white tinged with salmon-color, the head and neck glossy darkgreen like a drake's, and the bill and feet coral-or vermilionred. The head is slightly crested. The red-breasted merganser, M. serrator, is a similar but somewhat smaller bird, with a reddisli breast and the head more decidedly crested. The hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, is still smaller, black and white, with a beautiful erect semicircular crest. A South American species, distinct from any of the foregoing, is Mergus brasiliensis. gus. 2. [cap.] A genus of Mergina: same as Mermerge (mèrj), v.; pret. and pp. merged, ppr. merging. OF. merger, mergir = It. mergere. < L. mergere, dive, dip, immerse, sink in, = Skt. majj, dip, bathe. Hence emerge, immerge, subdisappear in something else; be swallowed up; merge, immerse, etc.] I. intrans. To sink or lose identity or individuality: with in. He is to take care, undoubtedly, that the ecclesiastic shall not merge in the farmer. Scott, Speech, April, 1802. Fear, doubt, thought, life itself, ere long Merged in one feeling deep and strong. Whittier, Mogg Megone, ii. II. trans. To cause to be absorbed or engrossed; sink the identity or individuality of; make to disappear in something else: followed by in (sometimes by into): as, all fear was merged in curiosity. The plaintiff became the purchaser and merged his term in the fee. Chancellor Kent. The names of Castilian and Aragonese were merged in Prescott, Ferd. and Isa., ii. 26. merger1 (mér'jèr), n. [< merge + -er1.] One who or that which merges. [< OF. merger, inf. as merger2 (mér'jėr), n. noun, a merging: see merge.] 1. In the law of Conveyancing, the sinking or obliteration of a transferred without qualification to the owner lesser estate in lands, etc., resulting when it is of a greater estate in the same property (or the like transfer of the greater estate to the owner of the lesser), if there be no intermediate estate. At common law the lesser estate was not deemed to be added to the greater, but to be extinguished, so as to free the greater estate from the qualification or impairment which the existence of the lesser estate had constituted. Thus, if an owner of the fee of land on which there was an outstanding lease, owned by another person, acquired the lease, the lease was thereby annulled, and he thereafter held simply as owner of the fee. It resulted sometimes that, if his title to the fee proved defective, he could not the comprehensive one of Spaniard. avail himself of any claim under the lease. Merger is the act of law, and is the annihilation of one estate in another. Its effect is to consolidate two estates, and to conform them into one estate. Mayhew, On Merger, I. i. 2. In the law of contracts, the extinguishment of a security for a debt by the creditor's acceptance of a higher security, such as a bond in lieu of a note, or a judgment in lieu of either: so called because such acceptance, by operation of law, and without intention of the parties, merges the lower security. mergh, ". An obsolete or dialectal form of marrowi Merginæ (mér-ji'nē), n. pl. [NL., Mergus + -ina.] A subfamily of Anatida, typified by the genus Mergus; the mergansers. See merganser. Mergulus (mèr'gu-lus), n. [NL. (Vieillot, 1816), dim. of Mergus, q. v.] A genus of small threetoed web-footed marine birds of the auk family, Aleida; the dovekies. There is but one species, M. alle. Also called Alle. See cut under dovekie. Mergus (mér'gus), n. [NL., L. mergus, a diver (water-fowl), mergere, dive: see merge.] The typical genus of Mergina, formerly coextensive with the subfamily, now restricted to such species as the goosander, M. merganser, and the red-breasted merganser, M. serrator. See merganser. meri (mā'ri), n. A war-ax or war-club used by the natives of New Zealand. It is seldom less than a foot or more than 18 inches long, and is made of wood, bone, basaltic stone, or green jade. meriæum (me-ri-e'um), n.; pl. meriwa (-ä). [NL.. < Gr. unpiaiov, neut. of unpiaios, belonging to the thigh, unpóc, the thigh: see meros.] In entom., a posterior inflected part of the metasternum of beetles, forming the anterior surface of the socket of the hind leg. Knoch. Meriania (mer-i-an'i-ä), n. [NL. (Swartz, 1800), named after M. S. Merian, a Dutch artist.] A genus of plants of the natural order Melastomacea, type of the tribe Merianica. There are about 37 Meriania species, natives of tropical America and the West Indies. They are erect shrubs or trees with long-petioled oblonglanceolate leaves and large yellow or purple flowers. Some of the species are cultivated in greenhouses, under the name of Jamaica roses. Merianieæ (mer i-a-ni'e-e), n. pl. [NL. (Bentham and Hooker, 1865), < Meriania-ea.] A tribe of plants of the natural order Melastomacea and the suborder Melastomea, characterized by the generally terete or slightly angular capsular fruit and the angulated, cuneate, or fusiform seeds. It embraces 11 genera and about 107 species of tropical American shrubs and trees. mericarp (mer i-kärp), n. [= F. méricarpe, Gr. μépos, a part, + кaprós, fruit.] One of the two achene-like carpels which form a cremocarp or fruit in the Umbellifera: same as hemicarp. merides, n. Plural of meris. Meridiaceae (me-rid-i-a'se-ē), n. pl. [NL. (Rabenhorst, 1864), < Meridion + -acea.] A large family of diatoms, according to the classification of Rabenhorst, taking its name from the genus Meridion. The frustule is cuneate, producing fan-shaped colonies, without central nodule. They live in both fresh and salt water. The family is the same or nearly the same as the Meridiece of Kuetzing. meridialt (me-rid'i-al), a. [ME. merydyall; LL. meridialis, of midday, < meridies, midday: see meridian.] Of midday; meridian. Whole men of what age or complexion so euer they be of, shulde take theyr naturall rest and slepe in the nyght: and to eschewe merydyall sleep. Babees Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 244. meridian (me-rid'i-an), a. and n. [< ME. meridian, <OF. meridien, F. méridien Sp. Pg. It. meridiano, L. meridianus, of or belonging to midday or to the south, southern, < meridies, midday, the south, orig. *medidies, < medius, middle,+ dies, day: see medium, mid, and dial.] I. a. 1. Of or pertaining to midday or noon; noonday: as, the meridian sun; the sun's meridian heat or splendor. In what place that any maner man ys at any tyme of the yer whan that the sonne by moevyng of the firmament cometh to his verrey meridian place, than is hit verrey Midday, that we clepen owre noon, as to thilke man; and therfore is it cleped the lyne of midday. Chaucer, Astrolabe, ii. § 39. Towards heaven and the full blazing sun, Which now sat high in his meridian tower. Milton, P. L., iv. 30. The sun rode high in the heavens, and its meridian blaze was powerfully felt. Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, I. 131. 2. Pertaining to the culmination or highest point or degree (the sun being highest at midday); culminating; highest before a decline: as, Athens reached its meridian glory in the age of Pericles.-3. Pertaining to or marking a geographical north and south line; extending in the are of a great circle passing through the poles: as, a meridian circle on an artificial globe.-4. Noting the eighth of Professor H. Rogers's twelve divisions of the Paleozoic series in the Appalachian chain of North America, the names of which suggest metaphorically the different natural periods of the day: it corresponds with the Oriskany sandstone (which see, under sandstone).-5t. Consummate; complete. An effrontery out of the mouth of a meridian villain. Roger North, Examen, p. 186. (Davies.) Meridian altitude of a star. See altitude.- Merid ian line on a dial, the twelve o'clock hour-line. II. n. 1. Midday; noon.-2t. Midday repose or indulgence; nooning: used specifically as in the quotations. We have,... in the course of this our toilsome journey, lost our meridian (the hour of repose at noon, which in the middle ages was employed in slumber, and which the monastic rules of nocturnal vigils rendered necessary). Scott, Monastery, xix. Plumdamas joined the other two gentlemen in drinking their meridian (a bumper-dram of brandy). Scott, Heart of Mid-Lothian, iv. 3. The highest point reached before a decline; the culmination; the point of greatest increment or development. You seem to marvel I do not marry all this while, considering that I am past the Meridian of my Age. Howell, Letters, I. vi. 60. In the meridian of Edward's age and vigour. Hallam, Middle Ages, iii. 8. 4. A great circle of a sphere passing through the poles, or the half of such a circle included between the poles; in geog., such a circle drawn upon the earth; in astron., such a circle on the celestial sphere. The meridian of a place on the earth's surface is the great circle passing through it and the poles, or the great circle of the celestial sphere passing through the pole and the zenith of the place. See longitude. 234 3717 5. Figuratively, the state or condition (in any respect) of the people of one place or region, or of persons in one sphere or plane of existence, as compared with those of or in another: as, the institutions or customs of Asia are not suited to the meridian of Europe. All other knowledge merely serves the concerns of this life, and is fitted to the meridian thereof. Sir M. Hale, Orig. of Mankind. First or prime meridian, the meridian from which longitude is reckoned, as that of Greenwich. See longitude, 2 Magnetic meridian of any place, a great circle the plane of which passes through that place and the line of direction of the horizontal magnetic needle. The angle which the magnetic makes with the true geographical meridian is different in different places and at different times, and is called the magnetic declination or the variation of the compass. See declination, and agonic line (under agonic). -Meridian of a globe, a meridian drawn upon a globe; especially, a brass circle concentric with the globe, and having the axis of rotation of the globe fixed in the plane of one of its faces.-Secondary meridian, in geog., a meridian whose longitude from the prime meridian has been so well determined that trustworthy longitudes may be ascertained by measuring from it. meridian-circle (me-rid'i-an-ser kl), n. astronomical instrument consisting of a telescope with cross-wires and moving in the plane of the meridian, and provided with a graduated circle. The meridian-circle subserves the same purposes as the transit-instrument, and also determines the declinations of stars. meridian-mark (me-rid'i-an-märk), n. A mark placed exactly north or south of a transit-instrument at a considerable distance, to aid in adjusting the instrument in the meridian. It is sometimes placed near, with a lens interposed to render meridies (me-rid'i-ez), n. [L.: see meridian.] the rays from it parallel as if it were really remote. Meridian; mid-point. [Rare.] An About the hour that Cynthia's silver light Meridion (me-rid'i-on), n. [NL. (Agardh, 1824), Gr. Hepidov, a small part, dim. of pépos, a part.] A genus of diatoms with cuneate frustule, typical of the family Meridiacea of Rabenhorst. = meridional (me-rid'i-o-nal), a. [< ME. meridional, meridionel, < OF. meridional, F. méridional Pr. Sp. Pg. meridional = It. meridionale, < LL. meridionalis, of midday, < L. meridies, midday: see meridian.] 1. Pertaining to the meridian; having a direction like that of a terrestrial meridian. The meridional lines stand wider upon one side then the other. Sir T. Browne, Garden of Cyrus, iv. Along one side of this body is a meridional groove, resembling that of a peach. W. B. Carpenter, Micros., § 427. 2. Highest; consummate. The meridional brightness, the glorious noon, and height, is to be a Christian. Donne, Sermons, xvii. 3. Southern; southerly; extending or turned toward the south. Ethiope is departed in 2 princypalle parties; and that is, in the Est partie and in the Meridionelle partie: the whiche partie meridionelle is clept Moretane. Mandeville, Travels, p. 156. The which lyne... is cleped the sowth lyne, or elles Chaucer, Astrolabe, i. 4. the lyne meridional. 4. Characteristic of southern climates or southern peoples. A dark meridional physiognomy. Motley, United Netherlands, I. 139. Meridional distance. See distance.-Meridional parts, the distance of any given latitude from the equator upon Mercator's map-projection expressed in minutes of the equator. Neglecting the compression, the meridional parts are proportional to the integral of the secant of the latitude, which is the logarithm of the tangent of half the polar distance. Taking account of the compression, the Becant of the latitude must be divided before integrating by 1 + e2 cos2 + (where is the latitude and e the ellipticity of the meridian). meridionality (me-rid i-o-nal'i-ti), n. [< meridionality.] 1. The state of being meridional or on the meridian.-2. Position in the south; aspect toward the south. meridionally (me-rid'i-o-nal-i), adv. [< meridional + -ly2.] In the direction of the meridian; north and south. Who [the Jews], reverentially declining the situation of their Temple, nor willing to lye as that stood, doe place their beds from north to south, and delight to sleep meridionally. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., ii. 3. merihedric (mer-i-he'drik), a. [ Gr. μépoc, a part, dpa, a seat, base.] Pertaining to some part of the faces of a polyhedron, taken according to some regular system. merilst, n. See merels. meringue (me-rangg'), n. [F., said to be < Mehringen, a town in Germany.] In cookery, a mixture of white of eggs and sugar slightly browned, used for ornamenting and supple meristem menting other confections. Puddings or tarts, etc., covered with this preparation are sometimes called meringues.-Meringue glacé, ice-cream served with a casing of meringue. merino (me-re'no), a. and n. [= F. mérinos = Pg. merino, merino (sheep), < Sp. merino, roving from pasture to pasture (said of sheep), < merino, an inspector of sheepwalks, a shepherd of merino sheep, also a royal judge, < ML. majorinus (used in Spain), the head of a village, a steward, majordomo; cf. majoralis, a chief, in Spain a head shepherd, < L. major, greater, in ML. a head, chief, etc.: see major, mayor.] I. a. 1. Noting a variety of sheep from Spain, or their wool. See below.-2. Made of the wool Head of Merino Ram, before and after shearing. of the merino sheep: as, merino stockings or underclothing. The articles so designated are usually made with an admixture of cotton to prevent shrinkage. - Merino sheep, a variety of sheep originally peculiar to Spain, but now introduced into many other countries. They are raised chiefly for the sake of their long fine wool, the mutton being but little esteemed. In summer the Spanish sheep feed upon the elevated lands of Biscay, Navarre, and Aragon, and toward winter are driven southward to the fertile plains of New Castile, Andalusia, and Estremadura. II. n. 1. A merino sheep.-2. A thin woolen cloth, twilled on both sides and used especially for women's dresses, now to some extent superseded by cashmere. It was originally made of the wool of the merino sheep. There is a variety which has an admixture of silk. 3. A variety of tricot or knitted material for undergarments. [U. S.] merion (meʼri-on), n. [= F. mérione, < NL. Meriones, q. v.] A book-name of the deerZapus hudsonius, formerly placed in the genus mouse or jumping-mouse of North America, Meriones under the name of M. hudsonicus. See cut under deer-mouse, 1. Meriones (me-ri'o-nez), n. [NL., so called with ref. to the development of the hind legs (cf. Gr. Mnpións, a man's name, companion of Idomeneus), Gr. unpia, thigh-bones, unpós, thigh.] A genus of saltatorial myomorphic rodents. The name has been applied: (a) By Illiger, 1811, to the Old World jerboas: a synonym of Dipus. (b) By Fréd. Cuvier, 1825, to a different genus of American jumping-mice, now called Zapus. [Disused in both senses.] meris (me'ris), n.; pl. merides (-ri-dez). [NL., < F. méride (Perrier), < Gr. epic (uɛpid-), a part.] A permanent colony of cells or plastids, which may remain isolated or may multiply by gemmation to form higher aggregates called demes. See deme and zooid. Encyc. Brit., XVI. 842. merismatic (mer-is-mat'ik), a. [< Gr. μépioua, a part, uɛpiouós, a division, <uepice, divide, <uεpos, a part: see merit.] In biol., dividing by the formation of internal partitions; taking place by internal partition into cells or segments. Merismatic cells, remaining without function sometimes for several years, until the sap wood containing them becomes dry or heart wood, when they begin their activity. Pop. Sci. Mo., XXVIII. 680. merispore (mer'i-spor), n. [<Gr. μépos or uɛpic, a part, division, foróра, seed.] One of the individual cells or secondary spores of a pluricellular (septate or compound) spore. meristem (mer'is-tem), n. [Irreg. < Gr. μɛpioTóc, verbal adj. of pepitev, divide, <uépos, a part.] Actively dividing cell-tissue; the unformed and growing cell-tissues found at the ends of young stems, leaves, and roots. In structure the cells of the meristem are characterized by having a delicate homogenous membrane, which is only rarely thickened, and distinguished as primary meristem when it forms the first homogenous granular protoplasm with a nucleus. It is foundation of a member, or the cells which develop into meristem the various tissue-elements, and which ordinarily soon lose the power of independent growth, and secondary meristem, in which the tissue-elements retain during their life the properties of typical cells, consisting of a closed cell-membrane with active protoplasm, a nucleus, and cell 3718 For strength from truth divided and from just, contents. They retain the power of independent growth, 2. To deserve as a reward; earn by commend and a meristem may arise from them at any time. meristematic (mer is-te-mat'ik), a. [ meristem +-atic2.] Consisting of or pertaining to the meristem. meristematically (mer"is-te-mat'i-kal-i), adv. After the manner of meristem. meristogenetic (me-ris-to-je-net'ik), a. [< Gr. MEDIOтós, verbal adj. of uɛpičev, divide (see meristem),+yéveois, generation: see genetic.] Produced by a meristem. = = merit (mer'it), n. [< ME. merite, meryte, maret, < OF. merite, F. mérite Pr. merit, merite = Sp. mérito Pg. It. merito, < L. meritum, that which one deserves, desert (good or bad); also, a ground of desert (service, kindness, benefit, or fault, blame, demerit), worth, value, importance; neut. of meritus, pp. of merere, mereri (> OF. merir), deserve, be worthy of, earn, gain, get, acquire, buy, in military use (sc. stipendia), earn pay, serve for pay; lit.'receive as a share,' akin to Gr. μépos, epic, a part, share, division, μópos, a part, lot, fate, destiny, uoipa, lot, peipeoba, share, divide. Cf. mercantile, mercenary, merchant, mercy, etc., from the same ult.source.] 1. That which is deserved; honor or reward due; recompense or consideration deserved. [Rare.] We beleven of the day of Doom, and that every man schalle have his Meryte, aftre he hathe disserved. Mandeville, Travels, p. 135. A dearer merit, not so deep a maim,. I give thee; reign forever, and assume Milton, P. L., iii. 319. 2. The state or fact of deserving; desert, good or bad; intrinsic ground of consideration or award: most commonly in the plural: as, to treat a person according to his merits. Here men may seen how synne hath his merite. Pope, Iliad, x. 294. Specifically-3. The state or fact of deserving well; good desert; worthiness of reward or consideration. Reputation is... oft got without merit, and lost without deserving. Shak., Othello, ii. 3. 270. This letter hath more merit than one of more diligence, for I wrote it in my bed, and with much pain. Donne, Letters, xiv. Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul. Pope, R. of the L., v. 34. 4. Good quality in general; excellence. The great merit of Walter Scott's novels is their generous and pure sentiment. J. F. Clarke, Self-Culture, p. 316. 5. That which deserves consideration or reward; ground of desert; claim to notice or commendation: as, to enumerate the merits of a person, a book, or a scheme. What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the world! Shak., M. for M., iii. 1. 240. It was the merit of Montaigne to rise into the clear world of reality. Lecky, Relationism, I. 113. ... 6. pl. In law, the right and wrong of a case; the strict legal or equitable rights of the parties, as distinguished from questions of procedure and matters resting in judicial discretion or favor; essential facts and principles that lead to an opinion clear of personal bias: as, to judge a case on its merits.- Figure of merit, a numerical coefficient of excellence in the performance of any instrument, as a chronometer, gun, etc.-Merit of condignity, merit of congruity. See quotation under condignity, 2.-Order for Merit, a Prussian order composed of two classes, military and civil. The first class was founded by Frederick the Great in 1740. The badge is a blue enameled cross adorned with the letter F., the words "pour le mérite," and golden eagles. Since 1810 it has been given exclusively for distinction on the field. The second class (or second order) was founded by Frederick William IV. in 1842 for distinction in science and art. Syn. Worth, etc. See desert2, n. = merit (mer'it), v. [< ME. *meriten, < OF. meriter, F. mériter Sp. meritar It. meritare, < L. meritare, earn, gain, serve for pay, freq. of merere, earn, gain, merit: see merit, n.] I. trans. 1. To deserve; earn a right or incur a liability to; be or become deserving of: as, to merit reward or punishment. able action or conduct. So many most noble Favours and Respects which I shall daily study to improve and merit. Howell, Letters, I. v. 34. A man at best is incapable of meriting anything from South. 3t. To reward. God. The king will merit it with gifts. Chapman, Iliad, ix. 259. =Syn. 1 and 2. See desert2, n. II. intrans. To acquire merit, benefit, or profit. And yet he bode them do it, and they were bounde to And if in my poor death fair France may merit, Does Tertullian think they [the Christians] merited by torious. The people generally are very acceptive, and apt to ap- meritedly (mer'i-ted-li), adv. In accordance "Twere well to torture So meriting a traitor. B. Jonson, Sejanus, v. 10. meritmongert (mer'it-mung ger), n. One who advocates the doctrine of human merit as en titling man to divine rewards, or who depends on merit for salvation: used in contempt. Like as these merit-mongers doe, which esteeme themselves after their merits. Latimer, Sermon, iii., On the Lord's Prayer. meritorious (mer-i-to'ri-us), a. [In older use meritory, q. v.; OF. meritoire, F. méritoire = Pr. meritori Sp. Pg. It. meritorio, L. meritorius, of or belonging to the earning of money, that earns money, merere, mereri, pp. meritus, = = < earn: see merit. In the second sense, dependent more directly on merit.] 1t. That earns money; hireling. B. Jonson.-2. Deserving of reward; worthy of praise or honor; possessing merit. And meritorious shall that hand be call'd, Canonized and worshipp'd as a saint. Shak., K. John, iii. 1. 176. You fool'd the lawyer, And thought it meritorious to abuse him. Fletcher, Spanish Curate, v. 2. Meritorious cognition. See cognition. In a meritoriously (mer-i-to'ri-us-li), adv. meritorious manner; in such a manner as to deserve reward. meritoriousness (mer-i-to'ri-us-nes), n. The state or quality of being meritorious, or of deserving reward or honor. meritory+ (mer'i-to-ri), a. [< ME. meritory, < L. meritorius, that earns money: see meritorious.] Deserving of reward; meritorious. How meritory is thilke dede Of charitee to clothe and fede The poore folke. Gower, Conf. Amant., Prol. As to the first, it is meritory. Chaucer, Parson's Tale. meritott (mer'i-tot), n. [See merry-totter.] See the quotation. Meritot, in Chaucer, a Sport used by Children, by swinging themselves in Bell-ropes, or such-like, till they are giddy. Bourne's Pop. Antiq. (1777), p. 406. merk1t, merke1t, n. and v. Obsolete forms of mark1. merk2, merke2 (märk), n. [Sc.: see mark2.] A unit of money formerly in current use in Scot merlin merkt, n. and a. An obsolete form of murk1. merk4+, v. and n. An obsolete form of march2. merkett, n. An obsolete form of market. [Perhaps dim. of OF. merkint (mer'kin), n. merque, a tuft.] 1. A wig; a tuft or portion of false hair added to the natural hair. Hence -2. A mop used in cleaning cannon. merkyt, a. An obsolete form of murky1. merl, n. See merle1. Merlangus (mér-lang'gus), n. [NL. (ML. merlingus), F. merlan, a whiting: see merling.] A Cuvierian genus of gadoid fishes whose type is the common European whiting, M. vulgaris, and to which various limits have been assigned. merle1, merl (mèrl), n. [Early mod. E. also mearl; ME. merle, < OF. merle, F. merle = Pr. merle = Sp. merla Pg. melro, merlo = It. merlo, merla D. meerle = MLG. merle = G. dial. merle (MLG. also merlink, MHG. merlin), < L. merula, f., later also merulus, m., a blackbird.] The common European blackbird, Turdus merula or Merula vulgaris. See cut under blackbird. = = To walke and take the dewe by it was day, And heare the merle and mavise many one. Henryson, Complaint of Creseide, 1. 24. Vernal Chaucer, whose fresh woods Throb thick with merle and mavis all the year. Lowell, Under the Willows. merle2t, n. An obsolete form of marl1. merligoes, mirligoes (mer'li-gōz), n. ["Perhaps q. [as if] merrily go, because objects seem to dance before the eyes" (Jamieson).] Dizziness; vertigo. [Scotch.] My head's sae dizzy with the mirligoes. Scott, Old Mortality, xxviii. merlin (mér'lin), n. [Early mod. E. also merline, marlin, merlion, marlion, marlyon; < ME. merlone, merlion, marlyon, merlyon (also erroneously merlinge), < OF. esmerillon, emerillon, F. émerillon Pr.' esmerilho Sp. esmerejon Pg. esmerilhão It. smeriglione, a merlin; aug. of OF. *esmerle It. smerlo OHG. smirl, MHG. smirle, G. schmerl, schmirl = Icel. smyrill (also D. smerlijn MLG. smerle MHG. smirlin, smerlink, smirline, G. schmerlin), a merlin, ML. smerillus, smerlus, a merlin; appar., with unorig. initial s (developed in Rom.), L. merula, a blackbird, merle: small size, belonging to the genus Falco, and see merle1.] 1. A kind of hawk; a falcon of to that section of the genus called Esalon or Hypotriorchis. There are several species, the bestknown of which is the European merlin, stone-falcon, or Merlin (Falco asalon or salon regulus). sparrow-hawk, F. regulus, F. salon, or F. lithofalco, one of the smallest of the European birds of prey, but very spirited. Though only 10 or 12 inches long, and thus not much larger than a thrush, it has been used in hawking for quails, larks, and other small game. The corresponding falcon of North America is Richardson's merlin, F. richardsoni, a near relative of the common pigeon-hawk of the same country, F. columbarius. The merlyon that paynyth Chaucer, Parliament of Fowls, 1. 339. The merlin is the least of all hawks, not much bigger than a black-bird. Holmes, Acad. of Arm., ii. 11, § 57. (Nares.) 2. A hardy, active pony, somewhat larger than the Shetland, found in Wales. The county [Montgomery] was long famous for its hardy breed of small horses called merlins, which are still to be met with. Eneye. Brit., XVI. 789. |