meteoroscope

With astrolabe and meteoroscope I'll find the cusp and alfridaria, And know what planet is in Cazimi. T. Tomkis (?), Albumazar, ii. 5. meteoroscopy (mē-te-or'o-skō-pi), n. [ F. météoroscopie Sp. meteoroscopía; as meteoroscope-y3.] The use of the meteoroscope. meteoroust (mē'te-or-us), a. [ Gr. μετέωρος, raised, on high, in air: see meteor.] Having the nature of a meteor; meteoric.

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The cherubim descended; on the ground Gliding meteorous, as evening mist Risen from a river o'er the marish glides. Milton, P. L., xii. 629. We must conclude that there are meteorous beings,

whose eccentric orbits we know not how to describe. I. D'Israeli, Amen. of Lit., II. 390.

meteor-system (mē-te-or-sistem), n. A flock of small bodies moving together in space and acting upon each other by their mutual attractions and influences of various kinds.

Meteorus (mē-tē-ō'rus), n. [NL. (Haliday, 1835), < Gr. μerέwpos, in the air, μɛréwpov, a meteor: see meteor.] An important genus of hymenopterous parasites, typical of a subfamily Meteorine, with many European and American species. M. hyphantric is a parasite of the fall web-worm, Hyphantria cunea, of the United

States.

metepencephalic (met-ep-en-se-fal'ik or -sef'a-lik), a. metepencephalon + -ic.] Of or pertaining to the metepencephalon. metepencephalon (met-ep-en-sef'a-lon), n.; pl. metepencephala (-lä). [NL., < met(encephalon) +epencephalon.] A segment of the encephalon between the myelon and the mesencephalon; the metencephalon and epencephalon together considered as one segment. B. G. Wilder. metepicole (met-ep'i-sel), n. [<met(encephalon) + epicale.] The cavity of the metepencephalon; the fourth ventricle. Also metépica lia. Wilder, N. Y. Med. Jour., March 21, 1885, p. 327.

metepimeral (met-e-pim'e-ral), a. [< metepimeron +-al.] Of or pertaining to the metepim

eron.

metepimeron (met-e-pim ́e-ron), n.; pl. metepimera (-rä). [NL., Gr. perá, after, + NL. epimeron, q. v.] In entom., the epimeron of the metathorax; the epimeral sclerite of the metapleuron.

metepisternum (met-ep-i-stèr ́num), n.; pl. metepisterna (-nä). [NL., < Gr. μɛrá, after, + NL. episternum, q. v.] In entom., one of the metathoracic episterna.

meter (mē ́tèr), n. [Formerly also meeter; < ME. meter, < AS. *metere (cf. metend, a measurer) (= D. meter = MLG. meter = OHG. mezāri, mezzāri, MHG. mezzer, G. messer = Sw. mätare, a measurer), <metan, measure: see mete1. In the second sense, 'that which measures, an instrument for measuring,' as in gas-meter, water-meter, etc., the word is partly confused in composition with the L. metrum, Gr. μérpor, a measure, which is the word involved in the unitary compounds gasometer, electrometer, geometer, diameter, perimeter, etc.: see meter2, meter3.] 1. One who measures; a measurer: as, a coal-meter; a land-meter. [Rare.]

But the aulnager, the weigher, the meeter of grants, will not suffer us to acquiesce in the judgment of the prince. Burke, Letter to a Noble Lord. 2. That which measures, or is used for measuring; specifically, an instrument that records or indicates automatically the quantity, force, or pressure of a fluid passing through it or actuating it: used in composition, as in gas-meter, water-meter (see these words), or alone when the fluid to be measured, as gas or water, is understood.-3. In fishing, one of the two reinforcing ropes of a seine or gill-net, of which one is attached to the upper edge and carries the floats, and the other to the lower edge and bears the weights or sinkers.-Dry meter, a gas-meter employing a bellows-like apparatus and no liquid.-Electric meter. See electric. Electromagnetic-control meters, electrical measuring-instruments (such as ampere-or volt-meters) the indications of which are controlled by the magnetic field produced by an electromagnet. In current instruments the electromagnet is usually excited by the current to be measured.- Grain-meter, any one of a variety of automatic grain-measuring machines, by which a stream of grain flowing from a chute or hopper is received, and the quantity discharged is indicated. Most of these grain-meters are automatic weighing-machines, the standard weight of a bushel of the grain being the unit of the scale of measurement, or, if the indications are in pounds, the latter divided by the weight of a bushel at once gives the delivery in bushels.-- Magnetic-control meters, electromagnetic-control meters with permanent magnets substituted for electromagnets.-Spring-control meters, electrical measuring-instruments in which

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the indications are controlled by the elastic resistance of a spring. (See also ampere-meter, coulomb-meter, joule meter, volt-meter.)

meter1 (mēʼtèr), v. t. [< meter1, n.] To measure by means of a meter; test by the use of a meter.

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It was found that the real proportions of air and gas were not determinable, except by metering both. Science, III. 497. meter2, metrel (mě tér), n. [Formerly also meeter; ME. meter, metyr, metre, < OF. metre, F. mètre Sp. Pg. It. metro = AS. meter = D. meter OHG.mētar, MHG. mēter, G. meter = Dan. Sw. meter, meter,‹ L. metrum, meter (of verse) (not in sense of a measure of length), Gr. pov, that by which anything is measured, a measure or rule, also a measure of content, a space measured or measurable, measure, proportion, fitness, meter (of verse); with formative -rpov, < Vμe Skt.√mā, measure, seen also in L. metiri, pp. mensus, measure, modus, measure, and AS. metan, E. mete1: see metel, model, measure. The sense of a measure of length is recent, from the F., but in comp. diameter, perimeter, etc., the lit. sense measure' is common: see meters and meter1.] 1. (a) Rhythm in language; rhythmic language as measurable by prosodic times or uttered syllables; more specifically, arrangement of language in a succession of rhythmic movements, readily appreciable as such by the ear; verse, as opposed to prose. Meter in this sense is the subject-matter of the science of metrics. (b) Measured verse or rhythmic language; rhythmic language as determined by or divided into fixed measures. (1) A measure, foot, or dipody. See measure. [Rare. (2) A line, verse, or period in ancient metrics; specifically, a monocolic verse or a dicolic (or tricolic) period, as opposed to a hypermetron. Meters are called monometers, dimeters, trimeters, etc., accord. ing to the number of measures in a verse, also acatalectic, catalectic, brachycatalectic, etc., meters, according to the completeness or incompleteness of the feet or measures. (3) A kind of verse; a particular variety of poetic rhythm, as expressed by the kind of feet of which the verse consists: as, iambic, dactylic, Ionic meter; a particular form ancient metrics meters were called monoid, pure, or simof metrical composition: as, Alcaic meter, elegiac meter. In ple meters when they consisted of one kind of foot through out, compound or episynthetic meters when composed of cola of different kinds of feet, mixed meters when uniting different kinds of feet within the same colon.

Lasciuious Meeters, to whose venom sound The open eare of youth doth always listen. Shak., Rich. II. (folio 1623), ii. 1. 19. According to the number of the sillables contained in euery verse, the same is sayd a long or short meeter, and his shortest proportion is of foure sillables, and his longest of twelue. Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 58. Rhime 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 meeter. Milton, P. L., Pref.

Metre may be defined to be a succession of poetical feet arranged in regular order, according to certain types recognized as standards, in verses of a determinate length.

G. P. Marsh, Lects. on Eng. Lang., xxv. 2. In music, the division of a composition into parts of equal time-value and of similar essential rhythmic structure. The smallest part thus indicated is that between successive primary accents, and is called a measure; in printed music this is marked by a bar before each primary accent. But meter includes also, in a general way, the division of a piece into equal and similar parts of more than one measure, such parts being called phrases or strophes. In this sense musical meter has obvious analogies with meter in verse, though the analogies cannot always be pressed with safety, especially as the nomenclature is not strictly parallel. (See metrics2, 2.) Rhythm may be distinguished from meter in that it deals primarily with the accents and the typical and actual accentual patterns, which meter gathers into groups and sections in accordance with their timevalue. This distinction, however, is not always observed or even acknowledged. Sometimes the meaning of the term is reversed, rhythm being made a matter of time, and meter one of accent. Sometimes, too, the two terms are made entirely interchangeable.

meth

ter (H. M.), 6, 6, 6, 6, 8, 8 (or 6, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4); Sevens and Sixes, 7, 6, 7, 6; Tens, 10, 10, 10, 10; etc. The principal trochaic meters are Sevens, 7, 7, 7, 7; Eights and Sevens, 8, 7,8,7; Sixes, 6, 6, 6, 6; Sixes and Fives, 6, 5, 6, 5; etc. The principal dactylic meters are Elevens, 11, 11, 11, 11: Elevens and Tens, 11, 10, 11, 10; etc. Numerous modifications of these schemes occur, especially in recent hymns.- Accentual meters. See accentual.- Hipponactean meter, Hymenaic meter, Ionic meter. See the adjec tives. In short meter, short meter, quickly; in short order. [U. S.]

This goin' ware glory waits ye haint one agreeable feetur, An' if it worn't for wakin' snakes, I'd home again short meter. Lowell, Biglow Papers, 2d ser., ii. Laconic meter. See laconic, n., 3.—Quantitative meters. See accentual meters, under accentual. meter3, metre? (meʼtér), n. [Also sometimes, as mere F., mètre; = Sp. Pg. It. metro (after F.), < F. mètre D. G. Sw. Dan. meter, < L. metrum, Gr. uerpov, a measure: see meter2.] The fundamental unit of length of the French metrical system. It is the distance, at the meltingtemperature of ice, between the ends of a certain platinum

bar preserved in Paris, and called the mètre des Archives. It was intended to be one ten-millionth part of the earth's meridian quadrant, and to be 443.296 lines of the toise of Peru, from which it really differs by a very small amount. Rogers, and to 39.36985 inches according to General Comstock. A new meter has been established by the principal nations, which is defined by the length at the melting-point of ice between two lines drawn on a bar of platiniridium, which is to be kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at the pavillon de Breteuil near Sèvres, France. This new meter is to be as nearly as possible of the same length as the old one. Abbrevi ated m. [< meter1-age.] meterage (mē ́tėr-āj), n. 1. The act of measuring.-2. Measurement; the result of measuring.-3. A charge for measuring. [< meter2 + -er1.] a poet. Drayton. [ME. metrely: < me

The meter is equal to 39.37027 inches according to Professor

meterert (mē ́tėr-èr), n.
One who writes in meter;
meterlyt (meʼter-li), adv.
ter2+-ly2.] Metrically.

Be it in balede, uers, rime, or prose,
He most torn and wend, metrely to close.
Rom. of Partenay (E. E. T. S.), l. 6566.

mete-rodt, n. [Early mod. E. meetrodde, metrod; metel rod.] A measuring-rod.

The meetrodde that he hadde in his hande was syxe cubytes louge and a spanne. Bible of 1551, Ezek. xl. 5. meter-prover (me'tèr-prö ̋ver), n. A registering holder, or a gas-tank of known capacity, used for testing the accuracy of gas-meters. meter-wheel (meʼtér-hwel), n. A drum or hollow wheel with several chambers, to which air axle. In use, the wheel is immersed in water above its or other gas is admitted through a tube in the axis, and the gas, filling each chamber successively, causes the chamber filled to rise and the wheel to revolve, when the gas is discharged above the level of the water by an opening. The chambers are of known capacity, and the revolutions of the wheel are recorded on dials. Such wheels are used in gas-meters, in which the pressure of the gas flowing through the meter gives the driving power.

meteselt, n.

[ME., AS. mete, meat, + sēl, metesthetic (met-es-thet'ik), a. time.] Dinner-time. Halliwell. [Also metsthetic; < Gr. μerá, after, + aiconrós, verbal adj. of aioðávεoðaι, perceive: see archesthetic.] Pertaining to the hypothesis of metesthetism. metesthetism (met-es'the-tizm), n. [Also metaesthetism; metesthetic +-ism.] The monistic hypothesis that consciousness is an attribute of matter, and a product of the evolution of matter and force: opposed to archesthetism. metestick (mēt’stik), n. Naut., a stick fixed on a board at right angles, used to measure the height of the hold of a ship, and to level the ballast.

metewand (mēt’wond), n. [Formerly also metwand; <ME. metewand; <metel + wand.] A measuring-staff, yardstick, etc.; any rod or stick used to measure length. [Archaic.]

He reformed the olde vntrue measures, and made a measure by the length of his own arme, which was then called vlna, an elle, and now the same is called a yard, or a metwand. Stour, Hen. I., an. 1102.

me.

meth respect; <metan, measure: see mete1.] Measure; moderation; modesty.

And Mari ledd hir life with methe In a toun that hiht Nazarethe. Metrical Homilies, p. 107. meth1t, a. [ME., <meth1, n.] Moderate; mild; courteous.

Alle that meyné mylde and meth
Went hem into Nazareth.

Cursor Mundi. (Halliwell.)

meth2+, n. An obsolete form of mead1.

meth3, n. [Also methe; ME., a var. of mood: see mood1.] Anger; wrath.

Quen the lorde of the lyfte lyked hymseluen
For to mynne on his mon his meth that abydez.

Alliterative Poems (ed. Morris), ii. 436.

Ne tell thou neuer at borde no tale
To harme or shame thy felawe in sale;
For if he then withholde his methe,
Eftsons he wylle forcast thi dethe.

Babees Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 302. methal (meth'al), n. [< methyl) + alcohol).] Same as methylic alcohol (which see, under alcohol).

methane (meth'an), n. [<methyl)-ane ] A hydrocarbon (CH4) belonging to the paraffin series, a colorless, odorless gas which may be reduced to a liquid by extreme pressure and cold. It is innocuous when breathed in moderate quantity. It burns with a slightly luminous flame, and when mixed with seven or eight volumes of air explodes violently. It occurs in nature in the emanations of volcanoes and petroleum-wells. It also occurs in large quantity in the coalmeasures, and when mixed with air constitutes the dreaded fire-damp of the miners. Also called marsh-gas. methanometer (meth-a-nom'e-tér), n. [<methane+Gr. uerpov, measure.] An apparatus, devised by Monnier, to determine and indicate automatically the quantity of marsh-gas (methane) in coal-mines. It depends upon the change of

level of the mercury in a manometer-tube in which carbon dioxid is formed by the combination of the gas with the oxygen of the air under the action, for example, of an electric spark.

methe1t, n. An obsolete form of mead1. methe2t, n. See meth3.

pose of any business; the use of a complete set of the observation are specially chosen so that one usual of rules for carrying out any plan or project: of compensation, a method in which a source of error source of error does not enter into the result.- Method as, to observe method in business or study; with- of unknown amount is got rid of by a special mechanical out method success is improbable: in this and contrivance. Method of concomitant variations, the the next two senses only in the singular. method in which the known quantities on which the results of an experiment depend are made to vary with a view Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't. to ascertaining the values of the unknown quantities.Shak., Hamlet, ii. 2. 208. Method of correction, a method of experimentation in Horace still charms with graceful negligence, which a source of error is allowed for by calculation. This And without method talks us into sense. differs from the method of residues only in that the nature Pope, Essay on Criticism, 1. 654. of the causes of the residual phenomena are known, and The particular uses of method are various: but the genonly their quantities remain to be determined. - Method eral one is, to enable men to understand the things that of difference, that method in which an experiment is are the subjects of it. tried under conditions seeming to differ in but one material circumstance, and the difference in the two results is ascribed to that circumstance. - Method of dimensions, divisors, exclusions, fluxions. See dimension, divisor, etc.- Method of exhaustion, the method of approximation to the area of a curvilinear figure by means of inscribed and circumscribed polygons.- Method of increments, of indivisibles, of infusion, of limits. See increment, indivisible, etc.residues. (a) That method of experimental inquiry in Method of least squares. See square.-Method of which from an observed quantity is subtracted the effects of known causes in order that the effects of unknown causes may be studied by themselves. (b) A method invented by Cauchy of treating the integral calculus. See residual.Method of reversal, a method in which two experiments are made under different circumstances, in such a way that their results can be combined by calculation, so that the error shall be determined and eliminated.-Natural method, a method in which the order of nature is observed. See Jussieuan.-Null-method, a method of measurement in which the equality of two physical quantities is indicated when, on performing a specified operation, no effect is produced on the testing apparatus: for example, the Wheatstone bridge method of measuring electrical resistance.- Progressive method. Same as synthetic method.-Regressive or resolutive method. Same as analytic method.- Scientific method, a method of investigation proceeding in a scientific manner, and

Bentham, Introd, to Morals and Legislation, xvi. 1, note. Where the habit of Method is present and effective, things the most remote and diverse in time, place, and outward circumstance are brought into mental contiguity and succession, the more striking as the less expected. Coleridge, Method, § ii. (Encyc. Dict.) 2. A system, or complete set, of rules of procedure for attaining a given end; a short way to a desired result; specifically, in logic, a general plan for setting forth any branch of knowledge whatever; that branch of logic which teaches how to arrange thoughts for investigation or exposition.

Method hath been placed, and that not amiss, in logic, as a part of judgment:... the doctrine of method containeth the rules of judgment upon that which is to be deliv ered. Bacon, Advancement of Learning, ii.

Method is procedure according to principles. Kant, Critique of Pure Reason (tr. by Meiklejohn), p. 516. 3. Any way or manner of conducting any busi

ness.

In this method of life it was once his fate to approach a clear fountain. Bacon, Moral Fables, iii.

4. A plan or system of conduct or action; the way or mode of doing or effecting something: as, a method of instruction; method of classification; the English method of pronunciation.

Therefore to know what more thou art than man,
Another method I must now begin.
Milton, P. R., iv. 540.

< medd, mead (see mead1), + llyn, liquor.] Mead.

It is not my fault if I fill them out nectar and they run to metheglin.

B. Jonson, Masque of Hymen.

O'er our parch'd tongue the rich metheglin glides. Gay, To a Lady, i. methemoglobin (met-he-mô-glô’bin), n. [(Gr. METά, with, E. hemoglobin.] A modification of hemoglobin, into which it can be reconverted. It differs from hemoglobin in that its combined oxygen is not displaced by carbon monoxid nor given up in a vacuum.

methemoglobinemia (met-he-mo-glō-bi-ne'mi), n. methemoglobin + Gr. aiua, blood.] In pathol., the presence of methemoglobin in the blood. Med. News, LIII. 240.

methemoglobinuria (met-he-mo-glo-bi-nu'ri), n. [methemoglobin + Gr. oipov, urine.] In pathol., the presence of methemoglobin in the urine.

methene (meth'en), n. [methyl) +-ene.] Same as methylene. mether (meтH'ér), n. [Cf. meth2, meath, mead1.] A drinking-vessel formerly in use, especially intended for drinking mead or metheglin. The vessels identified as methers are of wood, cut out of a single piece, having a capacity of from one to three pints.

Mether, from specimen in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, Ireland.

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The Dunvegan cup, a mether of yew covered with silver mounts. S. K. Cat. Spec. Exhib., 1862, No. 902. methinks (me-thingks'), v. impers.; pret. methought. [ME. me thinketh, AS. me thyneth, it seems to me: see mel and think2.] It seems to me; it appears to me. See mel and think2. method (meth'od), n. [= OF. methode, F. méthode Sp. método Pg. methodo It. metodo =D.G. Dan. methode Sw. method,<LL. methodus, methodos, a way of teaching or proceeding, <Gr. ubodos, a going after, pursuit, investigation, inquiry, method, system, < μerá, after, +ódóc, way.] 1. Orderly regulation of conduct with a view to the attainment of an end; systematic procedure subservient to the pur

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Let such persons... not quarrel with the Great Phy. sician of souls for having cured them by easy and gentle methods. South, Sermons, IX. i. Still less respectable appears this extreme concern for concern for those of other blood, when we observe its methods. H. Spencer, Man vs. State, p. 71. 5. In music: (a) Manner of performance; technique; style. (b) A manner or system of teaching. (c) An instruction-book, systematically arranged.-Acroamatic, analytic, antecedental method. See the adjectives.-Arbogast's method. [Named after the inventor, the Alsatian mathematician Louis François Antoine Arbogast, 1759-1803, who himself named it the calculus of derivations.] A method for the development of the function of a function according to the powers of the variable of the latter function.-Baconian method. See Baconian.- Catechetic method, the method of teaching by questions addressed to the memory.-Centrobaric method. See centrobaric.-Comparative method, any method of investigation which rests upon the comparison of several groups of objects.Compositive method. Same as synthetic method.-Correlative method. See correlative. Deductive method. See deductive.-Definitive or divisive method. See divisive.-Dialogic method. See dialogic.-Differential method. (a) A method of estimating the value of a physical quantity by comparing it with another of the same kind the value of which is known and estimating the difference. See differential, and differential galvanometer. (b) A method, introduced by Frischen, in duplex telegraphy for eliminating the effect of the transmitted current on the instruments at the transmitting station while leaving them available to record any message received at the same time. See telegraphy.-Epidermic, erotematic, Eulerian, exoscopic, expectant method. See the adjectives.-Euler's method of elimination. See elimination. Genetic, graphical, historical method. See the adjectives.-Horner's method of approximation. See approximation.-Iatraliptic method. Same as epidermic method.-Inductive or experimental method, a method which depends upon making new observations. -Introspective method. See introspective.-Lagrangian, lunar, magistral method. See the adjectives.Mance's method, a method of measuring the electrical resistance of a circuit in which there is an electromotive force.

See resistance.-Metaphysical or subjective method, one which rests on the assumption that the possibilities of thought are coextensive with the possi bilities of things.- Method of adhesions. See the quotation.

setting out from fundamental and elementary principles; especially, the method of modern science.-Socratic method, the method of teaching by questions addressed to the understanding.-Subjective method. Same as metaphysical method.-Symbolical method. (a) A method in which symbols of operations are treated as if they were symbols of quantities. (b) A method in which, in analytical geom., the functions which vanish on straight lines, etc., are represented by single letters. (c) In algebra, a method in which, by the aid of umbræ, quantics are written as powers of polynomials.-Synthetic, progressive, or compositive method, a method in which we set out with general principles and proceed to deduce their consequences.-Tabular or tabellary method, the method of exhibiting the divisions of a subject by tables.- Total method, the method of a whole science; partial method, the method of a particular part of a science.-Uniproblems, or to a very wide class of problems; special or versal or general method, a method applicable to all particular method, one applicable to a small class of problems. methodic (me-thod'ik), a. [= F. méthodique = Sp. metódico = Pg. methodico It. metodico (cf. D. G. methodisch - Dan. methodisk), < LL. methodicus, following a method (medici methodici, physicians known as methodists), < Gr. ubodikóc, working by rule, following a method, systematic (oi petodikoi, physicians known as methodists), <uétodos, a method: see method.] Pertaining to or characterized by method; conformed or conforming to a method: as, the methodic principle or sect in medicine.

The legislator whose measures produce evil instead of good, notwithstanding the extensive and methodic inquiries which helped him to decide, cannot be held to have committed more than error of reasoning. H. Spencer, Man vs. State, p. 77. Methodic doubt. See doubl1. methodical (me-thod'i-kal), a. [< methodic+ -al.] Characterized by or exhibiting method; disposed or acting in a systematic way; systematic; orderly: as, the methodical arrangement of objects or topics; methodical accounts; a methodical man.

When I am old, I will be as methodical an hypocrite as any pair of lawn sleeves in Savoy. Shirley, Grateful Servant, ii. 1. I have done it in a confused manner, and without the nice divisions of art; for grief is not methodical. Bp. Atterbury, Sermons, I. vi. methodically (me-thod'i-kal-i), adv. In a methodical manner; according to a method; with method or order. [Pl. of methodic: methodics (me-thod'iks), n. see-ics.] The science of method; methodology. methodisation, methodise, etc. See methodization, etc. methodism (meth'od-izm), n. [< method (see Methodist) +-ism.] 1. The principle of acting according to a fixed or strict method; the system or practice of methodists: as, methodism in medicine, or in conduct. Science, XII. 211.

At the recent meeting of the British Association, Dr. E. B. Tylor read an interesting paper on the laws of mar riage and descent, illustrative of his ingenious method of studying ethnological phenomena. All myths and customs, on a close study, may by analysis be disintegrated, and are found to consist of certain elements. Dr. Tylor arranges these elements statistically, and, by inquiring which occur simultaneously among various peoples, proves that certain groups of such elements belong genetically together. This he calls the method of adhesions.

Method of agreement, that method of experimental inquiry in which, some experiment being tried under a great variety of circumstances and found always to yield

the same result, it is inferred that this result would be reached under all circumstances. Method of approaches. See approach.- Method of avoidance, a method of experimentation in which the circumstances

This system [of medical doctrine] was known as methodism, its adherents as the methodici or methodists. Encyc. Brit., XV. 802. Specifically-2. [cap.] The doctrines and polity of the Methodist Church. See Methodist Church, under Methodist.

Metis

land, in April, 1848.-3. A genus of crustaceans.-4. A genus of mollusks. Adams, 1858. métis (ma-tes'), n. [F.: see mestizo.] 1. Same as mestizo.-2. In the Dominion of Canada, a half-breed of French and Indian parentage. I am aware that the mixture of French and Indian blood has produced the well-known class of métis, half-breeds,

members of which are found here and there throughout

Canada, but these are comparatively few in numbers. Amer. Jour. Philol., VIII. 151.

metœcious (me-te'shius), a. [NL., Gr. uerá, beyond,+olkoç, a house.] Heterocious. metocism (me-te'sizm), n. [< metac-ious + -ism.] Heterocism.

metoleic (met-o'le-ik), a. [< Gr. uerá, with,

after, E. oleic.] Related to oleic acid or olein. -Metoleic acid, a liquid acid resulting from the action of sulphuric acid on oleic acid. Metonic (me-ton'ik), a. [< Meton, < L. Meton, Meto(n-), Gr. Mérov, Meton (see def.).] Of or pertaining to Meton, an ancient Athenian astronomer. Metonic cycle. See cyclel.-Metonic

year. See year. metonymic (met-o-nim'ik), a. [= Pg. metonymico = It. metonimico, < Gr. per@vvuкós, belonging to metonymy, μerwvvia, metonymy: see metonymy.] Pertaining to or of the nature of metonymy; used by way of metonymy. metonymical (met-o-nim'i-kal), a. [<metonymic +-al.] Same as metonymic. Intricate turnings, by a transumptive and metonymical kind of speech, are called meanders.

Drayton, Rosamond to King Henry, note 2. metonymically (met-o-nim'i-kal-i), adv. By metonymy. metonymy (me-ton'i-mi), ". [=F. métonymie

Sp. metonimia = It. metonimia, metonomia,< LL. metonymia, Gr. ueTwvvuía, a change of name (in rhet., as defined), < perá, after, +ovoua, Eolic ova, name: see onym.] In rhet., change of name; a trope or figure of speech that consists in substituting the name of one thing for that of another to which the former bears a known and close relation. It is a method of increasing the force or comprehensiveness of expression by the employment of figurative names that call up conceptions or associations of ideas not suggested by the literal ones, as Heaven for God, the Sublime Porte for the Turkish government, head and heart for intellect and affection, the town for its inhabitants, the bottle for strong drink, etc. See synecdoche.

These and such other speaches, where ye take the name of the Author for the thing it selfe, or the thing conteining for that which is contained, & in many other cases do as it were wrong name the person or the thing. So neuerthelesse as it may be vnderstood, it is by the figure metonymia, or misnamer. Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 151. metope (met'o-pe), n. [= F. métope Sp. métopa Pg. It. metopa, < L. metopa, Gr. uerón, the space between the triglyphs of a frieze, uerá, between, + oh, an aperture, hollow.] 1. In arch., a slab inserted between two triglyphs of the Doric frieze, sometimes, especially in late

=

=

3742

Metopidius.

expanded radius, ulna; .

humerus.

metopic (me-top'ik), a. [< Gr. μéτwлоv, the forehead, front, lit. the space between the eyes, uerá, between, + (-), eye.] Of or pertaining to the forehead: as, a metopic suture.-Metopic point, a point midway between the greatest protuberances of the right and left frontal eminences. See craniometry.-Metopic suture, the median suture uniting the two halves of the frontal bone, present in early life and sometimes visible in adult skulls. Also called frontal suture. 1832), < Gr. μETWлidios, equiv. to uerwało, of Metopidius (met-o-pid'i-us), n. [NL. (Wagler, or pertaining to the forehead, «μετώπιον, ETROV, the fore- h head: see metopic.] A genus of Indian and African grallatorial birds of the family Parrida or Jacanida, characterized by the laminar expansion of the radius and the reduction of the spur on the wing. There are several species, as M. africanus, M. indicus, and others." metopism (met'o-pizm), n. [<metop-ic + -ism.] That character of an adult skull presented in the persistence of a frontal or metopic suture. metoposcopic (met"o-po-skop'ik), a. [= F. métoposcopique; as metoposcop-y+-ic.] Relating to metoposcopy. metoposcopical (met "o-po-skop'i-kal), a. metoposcopic + -al.] Same as metoposcopic. A physiognomist might have exercised the metoposcopi cal science upon it [a face). Scott, Abbot, xxxii. metoposcopist (met-o-pos'ko-pist), n. [< metoposcop-y-ist.] One versed in metoposcopy.

pearance of the face.

=

metrician

(of verse), <uérpov, meter: see meter2. II. n. = F. métrique = Sp. métrica = Pg. It. metrica = G. Dan. Sw. metrik, < NL. metrica, Gr. ueTpukh (se. Té xvn), the art of meter, prosody, fem. of μETpKós, pertaining to meter: see above.] I. a. Having meter or poetic rhythm; pertaining to meter or to metrics; metrical.

=

J. S. Blackie.

Hesiod with his metric fragments of rustic wisdom. II. n. Same as metrics2. Let the writer on metric write the poet's scores mathematically. Trans. Amer. Philol. Ass., XVI. 87. metrics (met'rik), a. [< F. métrique (= Sp. métrico Pg. It. metrico (after F.), < NL. metricus, pertaining to the system based on the meter, metrum, a meter: see meters, and cf. metric1, metric2.] Pertaining to that system of weights and measures of which the meter is the fundamental unit.-Metric system, the system of measurement of which the meter is the fundamental unit. First adopted in France (definitely in 1799), it is in general use in most other civilized countries, except the English-speaking countries, and is now almost universally adopted for scientific measurements. Its use is permitted in Great Britain, and was legalized in the United States in 1866. The meter, the unit of length, was intended to be one ten-millionth part of the earth's meridian quadrant, and is so very nearly. Its length is 39.370 inches. (See meters.) The unit of surface is the are, which is 100 square meters. The theoretical unit of volume is the stere, which

is a cubic meter. The unit of volume for the purposes of the market is the liter, which is the volume of 1 kilogram [<of distilled water at its maximum density, and is therefore intended to be 1 cubic decimeter. For 10 times, 100 times, 1,000 times, and 10,000 times one of the above units, the prefixes deca-, hecto-, kilo-, and myria- are used. For ro, roo, Too of the respective units, deci, centi, and milliare prefixed. The micron, adopted by the international is a complete table of equivalents: commission, is one millionth of a meter. The following

Apion speaks of the metoposcopists who judge by the ap1 myriameter Encyc. Brit., XIX. 4. [= F. mé- 1 kilometer metoposcopy (met-o-pos'ko-pi), n. 1 toposcopie = Sp. metoposcopía Pg. It. metopo- 1 hectometer scopia, Gr. Tov, the forehead, front, + OKOTEL, 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.

1 meter

1 decimeter

1 centimeter

1 millimeter

1 micron

1 hectare

1 are

1 centiare (or

square meter)

1 decastere

1 stere (or cubic meter)

Other signs [of melancholy] there are taken from physiognomy, metoposcopy, chiromancy. Burton, Anat. of Mel., p. 39. metosteon (me-tos'te-on), n.; pl. metostea (-a). [NL., Gr. uerá, after, + oortov, a bone.] In ornith., the posterior lateral piece or special 1 decistere ossification of the sternum, behind the pleurosteon, on each side of the lophosteon. See cut under carinate.

metovum (me-to'vum), n.; pl. metova (-vä). [NL., < Gr. uerá, after, + L. ovum (= Gr. ov), egg: see ovum.] A meroblastic egg, ovum, or ovule which has acquired its store of foodyolk, or been otherwise modified from its original primitive condition as an egg-cell or protovum. Also called after-egg and deutovum. metralgia (mē-tral'ji-ä), n. [NL., < Gr. urрa, womb, ayos, pain.] In pathol., pain in the

womb.

metran (met'ran), n. The abuna; the head of the Abyssinian or Ethiopic church. metre1, ". See meter2. metre2, n. See meter3. metrectopia (met-rek-to'pi-ä), n. [NL., Gr. uhrpa, womb (see matrix), + EKTOTOS, out of place: see ectopia.] Displacement of the womb. Thomas, Med. Dict.

metrectopic (met-rek-top'ik), a. [metrectopia +ic.] Pertaining to or affected with metrectopia.

metretet, . [ME., < L. metreta, Gr. μerphs, an Athenian measure for liquids (about 9 English gallons), < μerpeiv, measure, uerpov, a measure: see meters.] An ancient liquid measure. The Attic, Macedonian, and Spanish metrete was about 40 liters, or 10 United States gallons. The Lacedemonian and Eginetan measure was about 55 liters. Egypt the artaba was sometimes called a metrete.

Of fynest must in oon metrete,

Or it be atte the state of his fervence,
VIII unce of grounden wermode in a shete
Dependaunt honge, and XLti dayes swete;
Thenne oute it take.

In

Palladius, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 203.

= 8 inch.

= 2.471 acres.

= 119.6 square yards.

= 10.764 square feet.

= 18 cubic yards, or about 23 cords.

= 1.307 cubic yards, or 35.3 cubic feet. = 3 cubic feet.

= 1 tun 12 gallons 2 pints 2 gills old wine-measure.

= 22.01 imperial gallons, or 26.4 United States gallons.

= 2 gallons 1 pint 23 gills imperial measure, or 2 gallons 2 quarts 1 pint gill United States measure.

= 1 pint 3 gills imperial, or 1 quart gill United States measure.

= 0.704 gill imperial, or 0.845 gill United States measure.

= 1 ton avoirdupois less 35 pounds.

= 2 hundredweight less 3 pounds, or 220 pounds 7 ounces.

= 2 pounds 3 ounces 43 drams avoirdu. pois.

= 3 ounces 88 drams avoirdupois.

= 154.32 grains troy.

= 15.43234874 grains.

= 154.32 grains.

= 0.15432 grain.

= 0.015432 grain.

Closely connected with the metric system was the proposed division of the right angle or circular quadrant into 100 equal parts instead of 90 degrees; but this has not met with favor, mainly because the name degrees was retained, introducing a risk of confusion. See gram2. metricall (met'ri-kal), a. [<metric + -al.] Pertaining to measurement, or the use of weights and measures; employed in or determined by measuring: as, a metrical unit of length or quantity; the metrical systems of the ancients.

If we agree to accept a precise metrical quantity of one metal as our standard. Jevons, Money, p. 69. Metrical diagram. See diagram.-Metrical property or proposition. See descriptive property, under descriptive. metrical2 (met'ri-kal), a. [< metric2+ -al.] Pertaining to or characterized by poetical measure or rhythm; written in verse; metric: as, metrical terms; the metrical psalms. The Poesie metricall of the Grecians and Latines came to be much corrupted and altered. Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 7.

metric1 (met'rik), a. [< NL. metricus, < Gr. μεTρIKós, taken in the lit. sense 'pertaining to measure,' <uérpov, measure: see meters, and metrically (met'ri-kal-i), adv. In a metrical cf. metric, metrics.] Quantitative; involving manner: measuredly; as regards meter. or relating to measures of distance, especially metrician (me-trish'an), n. [<metric2 + -ian.] in different directions. See geometry. metric2 (met'rik), a. and n. [I. a. = F. métrique Sp. métrico Pg. It. metrico (cf. D. metriek, metrisch G. metrisch = Dan. Sw. metrisk),

metricist

3743

metropolitan

Counterpoint, therefore, is not to be achieved by the metricist, even though he be Pindar himself. Encyc. Brit., XIX. 262. metrics (met'riks), n. [Pl. of metric1: see -ics.] The philosophical and mathematical theory of

measurement.

metrics2 (met'riks), n. [Pl. of metric2: see -ics.] 1. The art of versification.-2. The science or doctrine which treats of rhythm in language and its employment in poetic composition. Both as an art and as a science metrics is a branch of rhythmics, and relates to rhythm in language as music or harmonics does to musical rhythm, and orchestics (regarded as an art or science by the ancients) to rhythm in the movements of the body. It is a distinct science from grammar in its proper sense, the only department of which approaching metrics is that called prosody- that is, the study of quantity or the determination of longs and shorts in spoken language. As a matter of convenience grammars have added to this elementary or empiric treatises on versification, and so in traditional and popular usage prosody is made equivalent to metrics. In metrical compo. sition the unit is the time (mora) or the syllable. In the

nomenclature of modern metrics syllables combine into feet or measures, these into lines, and lines into stanzas or strophes. In the more exact and complete terminology of ancient metrics times or syllables combine into feet or measures, measures into cola, lines (verses), or periods, periods into systems or strophes, strophes into pericopes, and lines, periods, systems, or pericopes into poems. Also

metric.

In metrifying his base can not well be larger then a meetre of six. Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 79. Metriina (met-ri-i'ne), n. pl. [< Metrius + -ina.] A group of beetles of the family Carabida, typified by the genus Metrius, having the body not pedunculate, the posterior coxa separated, the prosternum prolonged at the tip, and the mandibles with a setigerous puncture. Also Metriini, as a tribe of Carabina. metrist (meʼtrist), n. [= Sp. metrista, < ML. metrista, a writer in meter, a poet, < L. metrum, meter: see meter2 and -ist.] One who is versed in poetic meter or rhythm; a metrical writer; a metrician.

Coleridge himself, from natural fineness of ear, was the best metrist among modern English poets.

Lowell, Study Windows, p. 267. metritis (me-tri'tis), n. [NL., < Gr. uhrpa (see matrix), womb, +-itis.] In pathol., inflammation of the uterus, especially of its middle coat. Metrius (met'ri-us), n. [NL., Gr. péтpios, of moderate size, perpov, measure: see meter2.] The typical genus of Metriine, founded by Eschscholtz in 1829. M. contractus is a Californian species found in woods under stones. metrocarcinoma (me-tro-kär-si-no'mä), n.; pl. metrocarcinomata (-ma-tä). [NL., < Gr. uhrpa, womb, + Kаρkivua, a cancer: see carcinoma.] In pathol., carcinoma of the uterus.

a measure,

for measuring colors. metrocracy (me-trok'ra-si), n. [< Gr. uhrnp, mother,+-kparia, < Kpareiv, rule.] Rule by the mother of the family.

The theory which regards metrocracy and communal marriage as a stage through which the human race in gen eral has passed. The Academy, Feb. 15, 1888, p. 136. metrograph (met'ro-graf), n. [< Gr. uerpo, a measure,+ypaper, write.] An apparatus for measuring and recording the rate of speed of a railway locomotive at any moment, and the time of arrival at and departure from each station. metroiacon (met-ro-i'a-kon), n.; pl. metroïaca (-kä). [LL., also metroïacum, < Gr. unτpakov, neut. of unrpwakós, equiv. to unpoos, of a mother, specifically of Cybele as the mother of the gods, unrup, mother: see mother1.] In pros., same as galliambus.

=

metrological (met-ro-loj'i-kal), a. [<metrolog-y + -ic-al.] Of or pertaining to metrology. metrologist (met-rol'o-jist), n. [metrolog-y+ ist.] A student of or an expert in metrology. metrology (met-rol'o-ji), n. [= F. métrologie: Sp. metrologia Pg. It. metrologia, Gr. per pov, a measure,+-2oyia, eyew, speak: see -ology.] The science of weights and measures. It has two parts, one relating to the art of weighing and measuring, and the other accumulating facts in regard to units of mea sure which are now or have formerly been in use. Documentary metrology, the science of ancient weights and measures based upon the study of monuments, especially of standards in regard to which there is sufficient evidence that they were intended to represent certain measures.Historical metrology, the investigation of the weights and measures of the past, and especially of the ancients. It is divided into documentary and inductive metrology. -Inductive metrology, that based upon the measurement of a large number of objects in regard to any one of which there is little or no evidence that it was intended to have any exact measure.

=

=

+-y.] The act, process, or science of using a metronome, or of indicating tempo by reference to a metronome. metronymic (met-ro-nim'ik), a. and n. [< Gr. μητρωνυμικός, named after one's mother, < μήτηρ, mother, +ovoua, Eolic ovvua, name: see onym. Cf. matronymic, patronymic.] I. a. Derived from the name of a mother or other female an

cestor: correlative to patronymic: as, a metronymic name.

II. n. A maternal name; a name derived from the mother or a maternal ancestor.

Of metronymics, as we may call them, used as personal descriptions, we find examples both before and after the Conquest. E. A. Freeman, Norman Conquest, V. 380. metroperitonitis (me-tro-per i-to-ni'tis), n. [NL., Gr. urpa, the womb, + NL. peritonitis, q.v.] In pathol., inflammation of the uterus and peritoneum.

metrophlebitis (metro-fle-bi'tis), n. [NL., < Gr. pa, the womb, + NL. phlebitis, q. v.] Inflammation of the veins of the womb. metropolet (met'ro-pol), n. [< OF. metropole, F. métropole: see metropolis.] A metropolis. Halliwell.

land, and where are hir maiesties principall and high

Dublin being the metropole and chiefe citie of the whole courts. Holinshed, Ireland, an. 1578. metropolis (me-trop'o-lis), n. [= F. métropole Sp. metrópoli Pg. It. metropoli, <LL. metropolis, Gr. untрóro, a mother state or city (a state or city in relation to its colonies), also a capital city, irnp, E. mother, +ólic, state, city: see police.] 1. In ancient Greece, the mother city or parent state of a colony, as Corinth of Corcyra and Syracuse, or Phoca of Massalia (Marseilles), the colony being independent, but usually maintaining close relations with the metropolis.

=

This Sidon, the auncient Metropolis of the Phoenicians Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 90. Colonies may be regarded as independent states, attachto their metropolis by ties of sympathy and common descent, but no further. W. Smith, Dict. Greek and Roman Antiq., p. 314.

(now called Saito), in likelihood was built by Sidon.

nome.

rometer.

W. Taylor, Survey of German Poetry, I. 183. (Davies.) metrometer1 (met-rom'e-tér), n. [<Gr. perpov, measure,+urpov, measure.] Same as metrometrometer2 (met-rom'e-tèr), n. [< Gr. μirpa, the womb, + uerpov, measure.] Same as hystemetronome (met'ro-nom), n. [=F. métronome, Gr. perpov, a measure, + vóuoc, law: see nomes.] A mechanical contrivance for marking time, especially as an aid in musical study or perform(oscillating on a pivot near its center), the lower end of ance. In its usual form it consists of a double pendulum which is weighted with a ball of lead, while the upper end carries a weight of brass that may be moved up or down. When the latter weight is moved up, the rate of oscillation upper end of the pendulum is graduated, so that any desired number of oscillations per minute can be secured. The

is slower; when it is moved down, the rate is faster. The

whole is connect

ed with clockwork having a strong spring, whereby the os

cillation may be several minutes, and each oscillation may be marked by a distinct tick or clack. The inven tion of the metronome was claimed by J. N. Maelzel in 1816, but it is probable that he only adapted and introduced it to general use. The instrument

maintained for

Maelzel's Metronome.

is used for re- The dotted lines show the extent of vibration cording the tem

of the pendulum.)

po desired by a composer, and also as a means of teaching beginners the habit of keeping strict time. Its use is indicated in printed music by the metronomic mark (which see, under mark1). Sometimes an attachment is added for striking a bell at every second, third, fourth, or sixth os cillation, so as to mark primary accents: such a metro nomes have been invented, most of which are based upon

2.

Later, a chief city; a seat of government; in the early church, the see or chief city of an ecclesiastical province.

We stopped at Pavia, that was once the metropolis of a kingdom, but at present a poor town. Addison, Travels in Italy. 3. In modern usage: (a) Specifically, the see or seat of a metropolitan bishop.

That so stood out against the holy church, The great metropolis and see of Rome. Shak., K. John, v. 2. 72. Marcianopolis lost its metropolitical rights, though it still continued a See; and Debeltus or Zagara became the Metropolis of the province.

J. M. Neale, Eastern Church, i. 44. country, as London, Paris, or Washington. (c) (b) The capital city or seat of government of a A chief city; a city holding the first rank in any respect within a certain territorial range: as, New York is the commercial metropolis of the United States.-4. In zoogeog. and bot., the place of most numerous representation of a species by individuals, or of a genus by species; the focus of a generic area. See generic. metropolitan (met-ro-pol'i-tan), a. and n. [= F. métropolitain Sp. Pg. It. metropolitano, < LL. metropolitanus, of a metropolis, metropolis, a metropolis: see metropolis.] I. a. 1. Of or pertaining to a metropolis, in any sense: residing in or connected with a metropolis: as, metropolitan enterprise; metropolitan police. The eclipse

That metropolitan volcanoes make,
Whose Stygian throats breathe darkness all day long.
Cowper, Task, iii. 727.

2. Of or pertaining to the chief see of an eccle-
siastical province: as, a metropolitan church.
A bishop at that time had power in his own diocese over
all other ministers there, and a metropolitan bishop sun-
dry preeminence above other bishops.

Hooker, Eccles. Polity, vii. § 8. Very near the metropolitan church there are several pieces of marble entablatures and columns. Pococke, Description of the East, II. i. 253. Metropolitan district. See district. II. n. 1. A citizen of the mother city or parent state of a colony. See metropolis, 1. lens, and were recognized as such by each other.

Both metropolitans and colonists styled themselves HelGrote, Hist. Greece, II. 315.

mark. See mark1.