MERE or that only; this or that and nothing else; such and no more; simple. From mere success nothing can be concluded in favour of a nation. Atterbury. What if the head, the eye, or ear repin'd To serve mere engines to the ruling mind? Pope. 2. Absolute; entire; in every respect; as, a piece of the merest folly. Engaged my friend to his mere enemy." Shak.-3.t Unmixed; pure; genuine. Wine . . . mere and unmixed.' Jer. Taylor. With them all the people of Mounster went out, and many other of them which were mere English thenceforth joined themselves with the Irish against the king. Spenser. 155 red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator) measures about 1 foot 9 inches in length and weighs about 2 pounds. It is not an uncommon visitor of Britain, and has been killed as far south as the Thames, and even Devonshire. Called also Goosander. See MERGUS. Merge (mêrj), v. t. pret. & pp. merged; ppr. merging. [L. mergo, to dip, to dive.] To cause to be swallowed up; to sink; to bury: used only in a figurative sense. The plaintiff became the purchaser and merged his term in the fee. Kent. Whig and Tory were merged and swallowed up in the transcendent duties of patriots. De Quincey. -Mere right, in law, the right of property Merge (mêri), v.i. To be sunk, swallowed, without possession. Mere (mer), n. [A. Sax. mere, mare, a pool, mere, or lake, the sea; Goth. marei, D. maar, meir, Icel. marr, G. meer, the sea, a lake; allied to moor, marsh, morass, and L. mare, the sea. This word is the same as the mer in mermaid.] A pool or lake. And fling me deep in that forgotten mere. Tennyson. Mere (měr), n. [A. Sax. mare, gemare, O.D. meer, a boundary; Icel. marr, border-land.] A boundary; a boundary-stone; a merestone. Also written Mear, Meer. [Obsolete or provincial.] The Trojan Brute did first that citie fownd, And Hygate made the mere thereof by west. Spenser. To guide my course aright What mound or steady mere is offered to my sight. Drayton. Meret (mer), v. t. To divide, limit, or bound. Meregoutte (mar-gut), n. [Fr. mère-goutte, from L. merus, pure, unmixed, and gutta, Fr. goutte, a drop.] The first running of wine, oil, &c., before any pressure has been used. Holland. Merely (mer'li), adv. 1. Purely; only; solely; simply; thus and no other way; for this and no other purpose. Prize not your life for other ends Than merely to oblige your friends. Swift. 2. Entirely; absolutely; wholly; utterly; completely. "Things rank and gross in nature possess it merely.' Shak. I am as happy In my friend's good, as if 'twere merely mine. Beau, & Fl Merenchyma (mē-ren'ki-ma), n. [Gr. meros, apart, and enchyma, that which is poured in.] In bot. spherical cellular tissue. Meresman (mérz'man), n. See MEARSMAN. Merestead (mer'sted), n. [Mere, a boundary, and stead, a place.] The land within the mere or boundary of a farm; a farm. The men were intent on their labours, Busy with hewing and building, with garden plot and with merestead. Longfellow. Merestone (mer'ston), n. A stone to mark a boundary. Meretricious (mer-e-tri'shus), a. [L. meretricius, from meretrix, meretricis, a prostitute, from mereo, to earn.] 1. Pertaining to prostitutes; such as is practised by harlots; libidinous. The meretricious world claps our cheeks, and fondles us unto failings. Feltham. 2. Alluring by false show; worn for disguise; having a gaudy but deceitful appearance; tawdry; showy; extremely bad in taste; as, meretricious dress or ornaments. Not by affected meretricious arts, But strict, harmonious, symmetry of parts. Roscommon. Meretriciously (mer-e-tri'shus-li), adv. In a meretricious manner; with deceitful enticements; tawdrily; in such a manner as to violate good taste. or lost. He is to take care, undoubtedly, that the ecclesiastic shall not merge in the farmer. Sir W. Scott. Merger (merj'èr), n. 1. One who or that which merges.-2. In law, a merging or sinking of a less estate in a greater; as when a reversion in fee simple descends to or is purchased by a tenant of the same estate for years, the term for years is merged, lost, annihilated in the inheritance or fee simple estate. Mergus (mèrgus), n. [L., a diver, from mergo, to dip, to dive.] A genus of migratory natatorial birds, characterized by a beak thinner and more cylindrical than that of the ducks, and having each mandible armed at its margins with small pointed teeth, directed backwards, like a saw, the upper mandible being curved down at its extremity. Mergus merganser is the goosander or merganser proper, which weighs about 4 lbs. It is an arctic bird, moving south in winter, and in severe seasons frequents the lakes and rivers of England. It feeds principally on fish, which it seizes by rapid diving. The Mergus serrator is the redbreasted merganser, or goosander. (See MERGANSER.) These birds are met with in great flocks at Newfoundland, Hudson's Bay, &c. The Mergus cucullatus is the hooded goosander, peculiar to North America. It has its trivial name from its head being covered with a large circular crest, which it can raise or depress at pleasure. Mericarp (mer'i-karp), n. [Gr. meros, a part, and karpos, fruit.] In bot. a name sometimes given to a half of the fruit of umbelliferous plants. The fruits, or what are commonly termed seeds in these plants, consist each of two mericarps, placed face to face, and separating from a central axis. Meridian (me-rid'i-an), a. [L. meridianus, from meridies, for medidies, mid-day-medius, middle, and dies, day. Varro testifies that the word was originally medidies, and that he had seen it so written on a sun-dial.] 1. Pertaining to mid-day or the meridian; that is the imaginary line in the heavens which the sun crosses at mid-day; noon-day; as, the meridian sun; the sun's meridian heat or splendour. Towards heaven and the full-blazing sun, 2. Pertaining to the culmination or highest point, the sun being highest at mid-day; pertaining to a period of greatest splendour; as, the hero enjoyed his meridian glory.-3. Pertaining to the magnetic meridian.-4. A term applied to the eighth of Professor H. Roger's fifteen divisions of the palæozoic strata in the Appalachian chain of North America, the names of which suggest metaphorically the different natural periods of the day; it corresponds to a certain extent with our lowermost Devonians. -Meridian line, an arc or part of the meridian of a place, terminated each way by the horizon. Meridian altitude of the sun or stars, their altitude when on the meridian of the place where they are observed. -Meridian line on a dial, the same as the twelve o'clock hour-line. Meridian (me-rid'i-an), n. [See the adjective.] 1. Mid-day; noon.-2. The highest point; the culmination; the point of greatest splendour; as, the meridian of life; the meridian of power. In the meridian of Edward's age and vigour.' Hallam. I have touched the highest point of all my greatness, Shak. 3. In geog. an imaginary circle on the surface of the earth passing through both poles, and through any other given place, the plane of it thus dividing the globe into two hemispheres. Every place on the globe has its meridian, and when the sun arrives above this cirole it is mid-day or noon, whence MERISMATIC the name. Longitude is measured between the meridians. (See LONGITUDE.)-4. In astron. a similar imaginary circle of the celestial sphere, passing through the poles of the heavens and the zenith of any place: often called a celestial meridian. When the sun is on the meridian corresponding to any place on the earth it is noon at that place.-5. Special circumstances, conditions, capabilities or requirements, as of a country, district, sphere of life, &c.; thus, a book, a custom, may be adapted to the meridian of France or Italy, but not to that of England. All other knowledge merely serves the concerns of this life, and is fitted to the meridian thereof. Sir M. Hale. 6. A dram of spirits taken at mid-day. [Scotch.] The ancient Scottish custom of a meridian, as it was called, or noontide dram of spirits. Sir W. Scott. -First meridian, that from which all the others are reckoned, counting eastward and westward, and from which longitudes are reckoned. See LONGITUDE.-Meridian of a globe, the brazen circle in which it turns, and by which it is supported. Meridian lines are also traced on the globe itself, usually at 15° distance.-Magnetic meridian, one of the great circles which pass through the assumed magnetic poles, in a manner similar to that in which the common meridians pass through the poles of the earth. Meridian-mark (me-rid'i-an-märk), n. mark placed at a convenient spot several miles from an observatory, and due south of the place of the transit instrument, to serve as a means of marking the direction of the true south point of the horizon. 1. PerMeridional (me-rid'i-on-al), a. taining to the meridian; hence, southern 2. Southerly; having a southern aspect. All offices that require heat, as kitchens, &c., should be meridional. Wotton. A -Meridional distance, in navig. is the distance or departure from the meridian; the easting or westing. Meridional parts, miles, or minutes, in navig. the parts of the increased or enlarged meridian in Mercator's chart corresponding to each minute of latitude from the equator up to 70° or 80°; tabulated numbers representing these parts used in projecting charts and in solving cases in Mercator's sailing. Meridionality (me-rid'i-on-al"i-ti), n. 1.The state of being on the meridian.-2. Position in the south; aspect toward the south. Meridionally (me-rid'i-on-al-li), adv. In the direction of the meridian; north and south. The Jews, not willing to lie as their temple stood, do place their bed from north to south, and delight to sleep meridionally. Sir T. Browne. Merils (mer'ilz), n. [O.Fr. merel, a counter; comp. Fr. merelle, marelle, hop-scotch.] A game called also five-penny or nine men's morris, played with counters or pegs. See MORRIS. Merino (me-re'no), a. [Sp. merino, applied to sheep moving from pasture to pasture, from merino, an inspector of sheep-walks, from L.L. majorinus, the head of a village, from major, greater.] 1. Denoting a variety of sheep from Spain, or their wool.-2. Made of the wool of the merino sheep.-Merino sheep, a variety of sheep originally peculiar to Spain, but now reared in other parts of the Continent, in Australia, New Zealand, &c. 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 Arragon, and towards winter are driven southward to the fertile plains of New Castile, Andalusia, and Estramadura. Merino (me-rē'nō), n. A stuff, twilled on both sides, manufactured from merino wool, and used for female dresses. Meriones (me-ri-o'nez), n. [Gr.meria, thighs, from the development of the hind-legs.] A genus of North American rodent mouse-like mammals of the family Dipodidæ. M. hudsonicus is the North American jumpingmouse, remarkable for its extreme agility. Merismatic (mer-is-mat'ik), a. [Gr. merismos, division, from merizó, to divide, from meros, a part.] In zool. and bot. dividing by the formation of internal partitions; taking place by internal partition into cells or segments. Each of these divisions, like the parent cell, has the power of vegetating, and of dividing by a merismatic process into four, so as to multiply the plant. Balfour. MERIT Merit (meʼrit), n. [Fr. mérite; L. meritum, from mereo, to earn or deserve.] 1. The quality of deserving well or ill; desert of good or evil; as, to treat one according to his merits.-2. The quality of deserving well; goodness or excellence entitling to honour or reward; worth; worthiness: said of persons and things; as, a man of merit; a work of merit. Reputation is often got without merit, and lost without deserving. Shak. Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul. Pope. 3. Reward deserved; that which is earned or merited. Those laurel groves, the merits of thy youth. Prior. 4. pl. Rights and wrongs of a case; essential points or circumstances that lead to an opinion clear of personal bias; as, to judge a case on its merits. Merit (meʼrit), v.t. [Fr. mériter; L. merito, freq. of mereo, to deserve.] 1. To deserve, in a good sense; to earn by active service, or by any valuable performance; to have a right to claim, as a reward, regard, honour, or happiness; to have a just title to. A man at best is incapable of meriting anything from God. South. Good people, you do ill to kneel to me. What is it I can have done to merit this! Tennyson. 2. To deserve, in a bad sense; to incur. O, but with mine compare thou thine own state, And thou shalt find it merits not reproving. Shak. 3. To reward. "The king will merit it with gifts.' Chapman. Merit (meʼrit), v. i. To acquire merit, benefit, or profit. And if in my poor death fair France may merit, Give me a thousand blows. Beau. & Fl. Meritablet (meʼrit-a-bl), a. Deserving of reward. The people generally are very acceptive, and apt to applaud any meritable work. B. Jonson. Meritedly (meʼrit-ed-li), adv. In accordance with merit; by merit; deservedly. Merithal (meʼri-thal), n. [Gr. meris, a part, portion, and thallos, a branch.] In bot. a term used in place of internode: applied by Gaudichaud to the different parts of the leaf. Merit-monger (meʼrit-mung-ger), n. One who advocates the doctrine of human merit, as entitled to reward, or who depends on merit for salvation. Latimer. Meritorious (me-ri-to'ri-us), a. [L. meritorius, that earns money, from mereo, to earn or deserve.] 1.† That earns money; prostitute; hireling. B. Jonson.-2. Possessing merit; deserving of reward, or of notice, regard, fame, or happiness, or of that which shall be a suitable return for services or excellence of any kind. Shak. And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonized and worshipped as a saint. Meritoriously (me-ri-to'ri-us-li), adv. In a meritorious manner; in such a manner as to deserve reward. He carried himself meritoriously in foreign employments. Wotton. Meritoriousness (me-ri-to'ri-us-nes), n. The state or quality of being meritorious, or of deserving a reward or suitable return. "The high meritoriousness of what they did.' South. Meritory (meʼri-to-ri), a. Deserving of reward; meritorious. Gower. Meritot (meʼri-tot), n. [Perhaps merry, and totum for teetotum.] A kind of play used by children, in swinging themselves on ropes, or by means of strings of any kind, till they are giddy. Speght. Merk (merk), n. [See MARK.] An old Scottish silver coin, value thirteen shillings and fourpence Scotch, or thirteen pence and one-third of a penny sterling. See MARK. Merke,t a. Murky; dark. Chaucer. Merkin (mêr 'kin), n. [Perhaps dim. of O. Fr. merque, a tuft.] 1. A wig; a portion of false hair added to the natural hair.2. A mop used in cleaning guns. Merlangus (mêr-lang'gus), n. [Fr. merlan, a whiting.] A genus of fishes, family Gadidæ, having no barbel on the lower jaw. It includes the whiting and pollack. Merle (mérl), n. [Fr. merle, It. merla, L. merula, a blackbird.] The blackbird (which see). Merlin (merlin), n. [Fr. émérillon, O. Fr. esmérillon, It. smeriglione, smeriglio, smerlo, the merlin, a strengthened form of merla, L. merula, and meaning blackbird hawk. See MERLE.] A species of hawk of the genus Falco, the Falco cesalon or Hypotriorchis 156 salon, the smallest of the British Falconidae, being only about the size of a blackbird, but very bold. It was formerly used in Merlin (Falco @salon). hawking quails, partridges, larks, and such small game, and is even yet occasionally trained. It is of a bluish ash colour above; reddish yellow on the breast and belly, with longitudinal dark spots, the throat of the adult male white. The wings reach to two-thirds of the length of the tail. It builds its nest on the ground, and is fond of localities where large stones are plentiful, on which it is often seen perched, and is therefore often called the Stone-falcon. Merling (merling), n. [Fr. merlan, a whiting.] The whiting, a small teleostean fish; the Merlangus vulgaris. Merlion,t n. A merlin; a species of hawk. Chaucer. Merlon (mêrlon), n. [Fr. merlan, It. merlo, from a hypothetical L. marulus, dim. of mærus, for murus, a wall.] In fort. the plain part of an embattled parapet which lies between two crenelles or embrasures. See BATTLEMENT. Merlucius (mer-lu'shi-us), n. [Fr. merluche, O. Fr. merluce, from L. mare, the sea, and lucius, a pike.] A genus of teleostean fishes, belonging to the Gadidae, or family of cod-fish. The hake belongs to this genus. Mermaid, Mermaiden (mér'mad, mér'mad-n), n. [Mere, a lake, in its old sense of the sea, and E. maid. See MERE.] A fabled marine creature, having the upper part like that of a woman, and the lower like a fish. Mermaid's-glove (mer'madz-gluv), n. A name given to the largest of British sponges (Halichondria palmata), from its tendency to branch into a form bearing a remote resemblance to a glove with extended fingers. It sometimes attains a height of 2 feet. Mermaid's-head (mér'madz-hed), n. common British sea-urchin, the Spatangus cordatus. A Merman (mér'man), n. The male corresponding to mermaid; a man of the sea, with the tail of a fish instead of legs. Meroblastic (mē-ro-blast'ik), a. [Gr. meros, a part, and blastikos, furthering growth.] In zool. a term applied to ova, such as that of mammals, in which the yolk is only partially germinal. Merocele (me'ro-sel), n. [Gr. mēros, the thigh, and kele, tumour.] A femoral hernia, or a protrusion of the gut at the upper part of the thigh. Meropida (me-rop'i-dē), n. pl. A family of insessorial birds, of which the beeeater (Merops) is the type. Meropidan (mērop'i-dan), n. An individual of the family Meropidæ. Merops (me'rops), n. [L. merops, meropis; Gr. merops, meropos, a bird that devours bees.] The beeeaters, a genus of birds forming the type of the Meropidae, a family of fissirostral inses European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). sorial birds, nearly allied to the kingfishers. They have rather long, slightly arched beaks, and long pointed wings. They are mostly of a green colour; resemble swallows in flight; and prey on insects, chiefly bees, wasps, and other hymenopterous insects. Their skin is very thick. The species are numerous MERRY-ANDREW in Africa and Asia; none are known in America; two are European, one of which, M. apiaster, is common in the south of Europe as a summer bird of passage. It is rarely seen in Britain. Merorganization (mer-organ-iz-a"shon), n. [Gr. meros, a part, and E. organization.] Organization in part, or partial organization. [Rare.] Meros, Merus (me'ros, mē'rus), n. [Gr. meros, a part.] In arch. the plane surface between the channels of a triglyph. Merosome (me'rō-sōm), n. [Gr. meros, a part, and soma, a body.] In zool. one of the sections or parts of which an animal is formed; an element of form. Merostomata (me-ro-stom'a-ta), n. pl. [Gr. meros, the thigh, and stoma, stomatos, the mouth.] An order of Crustacere, including forms often of gigantic size, in which the mouth is furnished with mandibles and maxillæ, the terminations of which become walking or swimming feet and organs of prehension. The order comprises the kingcrabs or Limuli, and the extinct Pterygoti and Eurypteri. Merovingian (me-ro-vin'ji-an), a. [From Merovius, a latinized form of Mer-wig (great warrior), who founded the dynasty by uniting a few tribes under his sway in the early part of the fifth century.] 1. A term applied to the earliest dynasty of Frankish kings of Gaul. The dynasty gave place to the Carlovingians in 752.-2. A term applied to the written characters of certain MSS. in French libraries, of the period of the Merovingian dynasty. Merovingian (me-rō-vin'ji-an), n. A member of the dynasty founded by Merovius. See the adjective. Merrily (mer'i-li), adv. In a merry manner; with mirth; with gaiety and laughter; jovially. Merrily sing and sport and play. Glanville. Merrimake (mer'i-māk), n. [Merry and make.] A meeting for mirth; a festival; mirth. Written also merry-make. Merrimake (mer'i-māk), v.i. To be merry or jovial; to feast. Written also merrymake. With thee 'twas Marian's dear delight To moil all day and merrimake at night. Gay. Merriment (mer'i-ment), n. Gaiety with laughter or noise; mirth; noisy sport; hilarity; frolic. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Shak. Merriness (mer'i-nes), n. The state or quality of being merry; mirth; gaiety with laughter. Shak. The Merry (mer'i), a. [O.E. myrie, murie, &c., murge, to make merry; A. Sax. mirig, pleasant, merry, myrgth, myrth, pleasure, perhaps from the root of mearo, tender, soft, delicate, and mearh, marrow. A.Sax. word may perhaps be directly from the Celtic; comp. Ir. and Gael. maer, merry; Gael. mir, merry; to sport, to play.] 1. Pleasant; agreeable; delightful; exhilarating; as, the merry month of May; merry England. There eke my feeble bark awhile may stay, Till merry wind and weather call her thence away. Spenser. 2. Gay and noisy; in overflowing good spirits; jovial; hilarious. They drank and were merry with him. Gen. xliii. 34Man is the merriest species of the creation. Addison. 3. Accompanied with, proceeding from, or causing laughter or gaiety; mirthful; sportive. A merry jest. Shak. There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her. Shak. 4. Full of jibes or sneers; sarcastic. Atterbury.-To make merry, to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to feast with mirth. Merry (mer'i), n. [Fr. merise, the wild cherry. Comp. cherry from cerise.] The wild red cherry. One Merry-andrew (mer'i-an-drö), n. They ne'er had sent to Paris for such fancies, MERRY-DANCERS Merry-dancers (mer'i-dans-érz), n. pl. The aurora borealis or northern lights: so called from their never-ceasing darting motion. Merry-go-round (meri-go-round), n. A machine, consisting of a series of wooden horses and little carriages placed on a circular frame, and made to revolve by machinery, hand-labour, or the feet of the riders, on which children are treated to a ride. Merry-make (mer'i-māk), n. and v.i. See MERRIMAKE. Merry-making (mer'i-māk-ing), n. The act of making merry; a convivial entertainment; a merry bout or festival. Merry-making (mer'i-māk-ing), a. ducing mirth Merry-making sound. Tennyson. Pro Merryman (merʼi-man), n. A merry-andrew; a buffoon; a clown. Merry-meeting (mer'i-mēt-ing), n. A festival; a meeting for mirth; a merry-making. The studious man prefers a book before a revel, the rigours of contemplation before merry-meetings and jolly company. South. Merry-quilt (mer'i-kwilt), n. The term given to a cotton fabric made in Assam. Merry-thought (mer'i-that), n. The furcula or forked bone of a fowl's breast, which is sportively broken by two unmarried persons, one pulling at each end, the longest part broken being taken as an omen that the one who gets it will be married first. Mersion (mêr'shon), n. [L. mersio, mersionis, from mergo, mersum, to dip.] The act of sinking or plunging under water; immersion. The mersion also in water, and the emersion thence.' Barrow. Meru (mer'u), n. In Hind. myth. the most sacred of all mountains, being the abode of Vishnu. It is 80,000 leagues high, and situated in the centre of the world. Merula (meʼru-la), n. A genus of dentirostral insessorial birds belonging to the family Merulidæ, of which it is the type; the thrushes. Called also Turdus. Merulidæ (mē-rū’li-dē), n. pl. [L. merula, a blackbird, and Gr. eidos, resemblance.] A family of dentirostral perching birds, of which the thrush (Merula) is the type. The term Turdidæ is also generally given to this family. It comprises not only the thrushes, fieldfares, and blackbirds, but a number of exotic forms, of which the orioles, well known for their brilliant plumage and beautifully constructed nests, are the most familiar. Merulius (mē - rū'li-us), n. A genus of fungi, deriving its name from merula, a blackbird, some of the species being black. Mesaraic (mes-a-ra'ik), a. [From Gr. mesaraion-mesos, middle, and araia, intestines.] In anat. pertaining to the mesentery; mesenteric. Mesartin (mes-ar'tin), n. [Ar.] The star y of the constellation Aries. It is a well-known double star, and is said to have been the first recognized star of that kind. Mesdames, n. pl. of madame. Meseems (mé-sēmz'), v. impersonal; pret. meseemed. [Not properly a simple verb, being really a verb preceded by a pronoun in the dative it seems to me. (See ME.) Comp. methinks, which is a similar compound.] It seems to me. Yet there, meseems, I hear her singing loud. Sir P. Sidney. Meseemed I floated into a sudden light Above his stature. E. B. Browning. Mesel, n. A leper. Chaucer. See MEASEL. 157 Meselrie, tn. Leprosy. Chaucer. Mesembryacea (me'sem-brī-ā”sē-ē), n. pl. [See MESEMBRYANTHEMUM.] See FICOIDEÆ. Mesembryanthemum (meʼsem-bri-an"themum), n. [Gr. mesembria, for mesẽmeria, mid-day-mesos, middle, hemera, a day, and anthēma, a blossoming, from anthos, a flower.] 1. A genus of plants, nat. order Ficoides or Mesembryacea; fig-marigold. There are about 300 species, most of them natives of the Cape of Good Hope. Many are conspicuous for the beauty of their flowers, which expand in sunshine and close up in gloomy weather.-2. A genus of marine actinozoa or sea-anemones. Mesencephalic (mes'en-se-fal"ik), a. anat. of or pertaining to the mesencephalon; occupying a middle or central position in the brain or skull. See MESENCEPHALON. Mesencephalon (mes-en-sef'al-on), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and enkephalos, the brain.] In anat. the primary division of the brain encompassed by the parietal segment of the cranium. It consists of the vesicle of the third ventricle, the optic lobes, with appendages called conarium and hypophysis. Brande. In Mesenteric (mes-en-ter'ik), a. [See MESENTERY.] Pertaining to the mesentery; as, mesenteric glands or arteries. Mesenteritis (mes'en-tér-i'tis), n. Inflammation of the mesentery. Mesentery (mes'en-tér-i), n. [Gr. mesenterion-mesos, middle, and enteron, intestine.] A membrane in the cavity of the abdomen, attached to the lumbar vertebræ posteriorly and to the intestines anteriorly. It is formed of a duplicature of the peritoneum, and contains adipose matter, lacteals, mesenteric glands, lymphatics, and mesenteric arteries, veins, and nerves. Its use is to retain the intestines and their appendages in a proper position. Mesh (mesh), n. [A. Sax. masc, max, a noose, a net, mæscre, a mesh, a net; D. maas, O. D. masche, masche, Ícel. möskvi, G. masche, a mesh; W. masg, a mesh, Lith. megsti, to knit, seem allied.] The opening or space between the threads of a net; network. 'A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men.' Shak. Mesh (mesh), v. t. To catch in a net; to insnare. 'The flies by chance mesht in her hair.' Drayton. Mesh (mesh), n. The grains or wash of a brewery; mash. Mesh-work (mesh'wèrk), n. Net-work. When all the treasures of the deep Into their meshy cells were poured. 7. Baillie Mesial (meʼzi-al), a. (Gr. mesos, middle.] Middle. Mesial line, in anat. same as Median Line. See under MEDIAN.-Mesial plane, an imaginary plane dividing the body longitudinally into symmetrical halves, one towards the right and the other towards the left. Mesial aspect, the aspect of an organ directed towards the mesial plane, in opposition to dextral or sinistral aspects, or aspects towards the right or left. Mesite (me'sit), n. [Gr. mesos, middle.] A volatile, ethereal liquid, found in pyroxylic spirit, isomeric with acetone. It is supposed to be composed of oxide of methyl and oxide of acetyle. Mesitene (mes'i-tēn), n. A volatile liquid yielded by xylite when distilled with sulphuric acid. It is similar to mesite. Mesitule, Mesityl (mes'i-tül, mes'i-til), n. A supposed organic radical, of which acetone is a hydrate of the oxide. Mesitylene (mes'i-til-en), n. (C,H12) An oily, colourless liquid, obtained from acetone distilled with half its volume of fuming sulphuric acid. Meslin, Maslin (mezʼlin, mazʼlin), n. [Written in various other ways, as mestlin, mastlin, Sc. mashlum, mashlin, probably directly from O.Fr. mestillon, mestelon, from L.L. mestillio, mixed grain (Fr. méteil), from L. mistum, mixed; or from 0. Fr. mesler, to mix, from the same stem, viz. L. misceo, to mix. See MÊLÉE.] A mixture of different sorts of grain, as of wheat and rye. Mesmeree (mez-mér-e'), n. The person on whom a mesmerist operates; one who is mesmerized. Mesmeric, Mesmerical (mez-mer'ik, mezmer'ik-al), a. Pertaining to or produced by mesmerism; as, mesmeric sleep. MESODERM Mesmerism (mez'mêr-izm), n. [After Frederic Anthony Mesmer, a German physician, who propounded the doctrine in 1778.] 1. The doctrine that one person can exercise influence over the will and nervous system of another, and produce certain phenomena by virtue of a supposed emanation, called animal magnetism, proceeding from him, or simply by the domination of his will over that of the person operated on. Originally Mesmer professed to produce his results by the operation of actual magnets, but all such apparatus has long been abandoned, and those who profess belief in magnetism as the cause of the phenomena exhibited refer it to the body of the mesmerist. Six stages or degrees of mesmerism have been enumerated, viz. the walking stage, the stage of half-sleep, mesmeric sleep or stupor, somnambulism, self-contemplation or clairvoyance, universal illumination, in which the patient knows what is going on in distant regions, all that has happened or will happen to those persons with whom he is brought into mesmeric relation, observes their internal organization, prescribes for them, reads sealed letters, and so forth.-2. The influence itself; animal magnetism. Mesmerist (mez'mér-ist), n. tises or believes in mesmerism. Mesmerization (mez' mér -iz-a "shon), n. The act of mesmerizing, or state of being mesmerized. One who prac Mesnality (mē-nal'i-ti), n. [See MESNE.] A manor held under a superior lord. Mesnalty (me'nal-ti), n. The right of the mesne. Cowel. Mesne (men), a. [Norm. mesne, middle, from L. medianus, middle; comp. It. mezzano, middle. See MEAN, a. middle.] In law, middle; intervening; as, a mesne lord, that is, a lord who holds land of a superior but grants a part of it to another person. In this case he is a tenant to the superior, but lord or superior to the second grantee, and called the mesne lord.-Mesne process, that part of the proceedings in a suit which intervenes between the original process or writ and the final issue, and which issues, pending the suit, on some collateral matter; and sometimes it is understood to be the whole process preceding the execution. Mesne profits, the profits of an estate which accrue to a tenant in possession after the demise of the lessor.-Action of mesne profits, an action of trespass which is brought to recover profits derived from land whilst the possession of it has been improperly withheld-that is, the yearly value of the premises. It is brought after a judgment for the plaintiff in an action of ejectment which recovered possession of the land. Mesoblast (mes'o-blast), n. (Gr. mesos, middle, and blastos, a bud.] In physiol. the layer which arises between the epiblast and hypoblast, the two primary layers of the embryo. It answers to the old phrase, vascular layer between the serous and mucous layers. Mesocæcum (mes'o-sē-kum), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and L. cœcum (which see).] That part of the peritoneum which embraces the cæcum and its appendages. Mesocarp (mes'o-kärp), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and karpos, fruit.] In bot. the middle part or layer of the pericarp. It is the layer immediately under the epicarp, or outermost covering of the pericarp. It forms the pulpy part of the cherry, peach, &c., and is also green and succulent in the pea until it has attained maturity, when it dries up. It is also termed sarcocarp, especially when thick and fleshy. Mesochilium (mes-o-ki'li-um), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and cheilos, a lip.] In bot. the middle portion of the labellum of an orchid. Mesocolon (mes'o-kō-lon), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and E. colon (which see).] In anat. that part of the mesentery, which, having reached the extremity of the ileum, contracts, or that part of the mesentery to which the colon is attached. See COLON. Mesoderm (mes'o-dèrm), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and derma, the skin, shell.] 1. In zool. the middle layer of tissue lying between the ectoderm and the endoderm of some of the Colenterata. It represents the structures which lie between the epidermis and the MESOGASTRIC epithelium in more complex animals.-2. In bot. the middle layer of tissue in the shell of the spore-case of an urn-moss. Mesogastric (mes-o-gas'trik), a. [Gr. mesos, middle, and gaster, the belly.] In anat. of or belonging to the middle of the belly; specifically, a term applied to the membrane which sustains the stomach, and by which it is attached to the abdomen. Mesogastrium (mes-o-gas'tri-um), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and gastër, the belly.] In anat. the umbilical region of the abdomen. Mesolabe (mes'o-lab), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and lambano, to take.] An instrument employed by the ancients for finding two mean proportionals between two given lines, which were required in the problem of the duplication of the cube. Mesole (me'sōl), n. A zeolite found in Sweden and the Faroe Islands. Its colour is white, grayish, or yellowish-white; it occurs massive, and globular, or reniform. It is composed of silica, alumina, soda, lime, and water. Called also Thomsonite. Mesoleucost (mes-o-lú'kos), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and leukos, white.] A precious stone with a streak of white in the middle. Mesolite (mes'o-lit), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and lithos, a stone.] See MESOTYPE. Mesolobar (mes-o-lō'bar), a. In anat. of or belonging to the mesolobe; as, mesolobar arteries. Mesolobe (mes'o-lōb), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and lobos, a lobe.] In anat. the corpus callosum. See CORPUS. Mesologarithm (mes-o-logʻa-rithm), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and E. logarithm.] A logarithm of the co-sine or co-tangent. Mesomelast (me-som'e-las), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and melas, black.] A precious stone with a black vein parting every colour in the midst. Mesophlæum (mes-o-flè'um), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and phloios, bark.] In bot. the middle cellular layer of the bark. It underlies the epiphlæum and overlies the liber. Mesophyllum (mes-o-fillum or me-sof'illum), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and phyllon, a leaf.] In bot. the parenchymatous tissue forming the fleshy part of a leaf between the upper and lower integuments. Mesoplast (mes'o-plast), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and plasso, to mould.] In physiol. the soft or gelatinous matter occupying a cell and constituting the nucleus. Mesopodium (mes-o-po'di-um), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and pous, podos, a foot.] In zool. the middle portion of the foot of molluscs. Mesorectum (mes-o-rek'tum), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and E. rectum (which see).] In anat. that part of the peritoneum which connects the rectum with the front of the sacrum. Mesosperm (mes'ō-sperm), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and sperma, seed.] In bot. a membrane of a seed: the secundine, or second membrane from the surface. Mesothesis (me-soth'e-sis), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and thesis (which see).] Middle place; mean. 'Imitation is the mesothesis of likeness and difference.' Coleridge. Mesothorax (mes-o-thō'raks), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and thorax, the chest.] In entom. the middle ring of the thorax. Mesotype (mes'ò-tip), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and typos, form, type.] In mineral. a zeolitic mineral, occurring in slender crystals, and delicate, radiated concretions, and consisting of the hydrated silicate either of alumina and soda, in which case it is called also soda mesotype or natrolite, or of alumina and lime, when it is called lime mesotype or scolecite, or of alumina and both lime and soda, in which case it is called mesolite. Mesoxalic (mes-oks-al'ik), a. [Gr. meso8, middle, and oxalic (which see).] Of or pertaining to, or derived from alloxan; as, mesoxalic acid (CHO). Mesozoic (mes-o-zo'ik), a. [Gr. mesos, middle, and zoë, life.] In geol. pertaining or relating to the secondary age, or the era between the palaeozoic and cainozoic. See CAINOZOIC. Mespilus (mes'pi-lus), n. [L., a medlar.] A genus of trees now combined with Pyrus, from which it differs in the bony structure of the endocarp, belonging to the pomaceous division of the nat. order Rosacea. M. germanica is the common medlar. See MEDLAR. Mespriset (mes'priz), n. [0. Fr. mespris, Fr. mépris, from mespriser, to despise. See MISPRIZE.] Contempt, scorn. Then, if all fayle, we will by force it win, 158 Mess (mes), n. [O. Fr. mes, a service of meat, a course of dishes at table, Fr. mets (the t being erroneously inserted); It. messo, a course at table, properly that which is sent, from L. missus, pp. of mitto, to send. Some refer the word to 0. H. G. maz, Goth. mats, meat, but this seems less probable. As to sense 5, see also MASH,n.] 1. A dish or a quantity of food prepared or set on a table at one time; food prepared for a person or party at one meal; as, a mess of pottage. And he took and sent messes unto them from be. fore him: but Benjamin's mess was five time as much as any of theirs. Gen. xliii. 34 2. As much provender as is given to a beast at once.-3. A number of persons who eat together at the same table, and the entertainment provided for them; especially a company of officers in the army or navy, who eat together. Uncut up pies at the nether end filled With moss and stones, partly to make a show with And partly to keep the lower mess from eating. Beau. & Fl 4. Hence, as at great feasts the company were arranged in fours, called messes (in the Inns of Court a mess still consists of four), the word came to mean a set of four generally. Where are your mess of sons?' Shak. There lacks a fourth thing to make up the mess. Latimer. You three fools lacked me fool to make up the mess. Shak. 5. A disorderly mixture; things jumbled together; a state of dirt and disorder; something dirty; as, the house was in a mess; to make a mess of one's clothes. [Colloq.] 6. Fig. a situation of confusion or embarrassment, distress or difficulty; a muddle. Neither battle I see, nor arraying, nor king in Israel, Only infinite jumble and mess and dislocation. Clough. Mess (mes), v.i. To take meals in common with others as one of a mess; particularly said of naval and military men; to associate at the same table; to eat in company; hence, to eat or feed in general. Now that we are in harbour I mess here, because Mrs. Trotter is on board. Marryat. Mess (mes), v. t. 1. To supply with a mess. 2. To make a mess of; to soil or dirty. 'I've messed them (trowsers).' W. Collins. [Colloq.] The Roman Catho[Old English and Mess, Messe (mes), n. lic service of the mass. Scotch.] Message (mes'saj), n. [Fr.; It. messaggio, L.L. missaticum, message, from L. mitto, missum, to send.] 1. Any notice or communication, written or verbal, sent from one person to another. The welcome message made, was soon receiv'd. Dryden. Specifically-2. An official address or communication, not made in person but delivered by a messenger, as an official written communication of facts or opinions sent by a chief magistrate to the houses of a legislature or other deliberative body, or from one house of legislature to another. Message,t n. A messenger. Chaucer. Messager,+ n. A messenger. Gower. Messalian (mes-sā'li-an), n. One of a sect of heretics of the fourth century who professed to adhere to the strict letter of the gospel, specifically refusing to work, and quoting this passage: Labour not for the food that Messan, Messin (mes'san, mes'sin), n. perisheth.' [Jamieson conjectures that it may be from Fr. maison, a house, but this is very doubtful. It must be connected with messet (which see), and probably means a dog of mixed race, ultimately from L. misceo, to mix.] A dog of no breeding; a mongrel; a cur. [Scotch.] Burns. But wad hae spent an hour caressin, Ev'n wi' a tinkler-gypsy's messin. Mess-deck (mes'dek), n. The deck on which a ship's crew mess. Messenger (mes'sen-jér), n. [O.E. messager; Fr. messager. (See MESSAGE.) Then has intruded as in passenger.] 1. One who bears a message or goes on an errand; the bearer of a verbal or written communication, notice, or invitation from one person to another, or to a public body; one who conveys despatches from one prince or court to another. Came running in, much like a man dismayed, 2. One who or that which foreshows; a harbinger; a forerunner. Yon gray lines That fret the clouds are messengers of day. Shak. METABASIS 3. Naut. a large rope used to unmoor or heave up a ship's anchors, by transmitting the power of the capstan to the cable. 4. In law, a person appointed to perform certain ministerial duties under bankrupt and insolvent laws, such as to take charge of the estate of the bankrupt or insolvent, and to transact certain other duties in reference to the proceedings in bankruptcy or insolvency.-Queen's (king's) messenger, an officer employed under the secretaries of state, kept in readiness to carry despatches both at home and abroad. SYN. Carrier, intelligencer, courier, harbinger, forerunner, precursor, herald. Messenger-at-arms (mes'sen-jer-at-ärmz), n. In Scots law, an officer appointed by and under the control of the lyon-king-atarms. He executes all summonses and letters of diligence connected with the Court of Session and Court of Justiciary. Messett (mes'et), n. [See MESSAN.] A lowbred dog; a messan. Hall. Messiad (mes-si'ad), n. A poem with the Messiah for its hero; specifically, a modern German epic poem written by Klopstock, relating to the sufferings and triumphs of the Messiah. Messiah (mes-si'a), n. [Heb. mashiach, anointed, from mashach, to anoint.] Christ, the Anointed; the Saviour of the world. At thy nativity a glorious choir Of angels in the fields of Bethlehem sung To shepherds watching at their folds by night, And told them the Messiah now was born. Milton. Messiahship (mes-si'a-ship), n. The character, state, or office of the Saviour. 'Josephus whose prejudices were against the Messiahship and religion of Jesus.' Buckminster. Messianic (mes-si-an'ik), a. Relating to the Messiah; as, messianic psalms. Messias (mes-si'as), n. Same as Messiah. Messidor (mes-si-dor), n. [Fr., from L messis, harvest, and Gr. doron, a gift.] The tenth month of the year in the calendar of the first French republic, commencing June 19th and ending July 18th. Messieurs (mes'yèrz), n. [Fr. pl. of Monsieur (which see).] Sirs; gentlemen: used in English as the plural of Mr., and generally contracted into Messrs. Mess-mate (mes'māt), n. An associate in taking meals; one who eats ordinarily at the same table. Mess-mates, hear a brother sailor Sing the dangers of the sea. Stevens. Messrs. An abbreviation of Messieurs. Mess-table (mes'ta-bl), n. The table at which a mess dine together. Messuage (mes'swaj), n. [0.Fr. messuage, mesnage; L.L. messuagium, mansionaticum, from L. mansio, mansionis, a dwelling. See MANSION.] In law, a dwelling-house, with the adjacent buildings and curtilage, appropriated to the use of the household; a manorhouse. Meste,t a. superl. [A. Sax. mæst, Sc. maist.] Most. Chaucer. Mestee (mes-te'), n. [See MESTIZO.] The offspring of a white and a quadroon. Written also Mustee. [West Indian.] Mesteque (mes-tā'ke), n. The Mexican name for the finest kinds of the cochineal insect. Mestizo, Mestino (mes-te'zō, mes-te'nō), n. [Sp. mestizo, O. Fr. mestis, Fr. mêtis, from L. mixtus, pp. of misceo, to mix.] The offspring of a Spaniard or Creole and an American Indian. [Spanish-American.] Mestling (mestling), n. [See MESLIN.] Yellow metal; brass used for the church vessels and ornaments in the middle ages. Mesymnicum (me-sim'ni-kum), n. [Gr. mesos, middle, and hymnos, a festive song.] In anc. poetry, a repetition at the end of a stanza. Met (met), pret. & pp. of meet. Mett (met), pret. & pp. of mete, to measure. Then Hector, Priam's martial son, stepped forth and met the ground. Chapman. Met (met), n. [See METE.] A measure of any kind; a bushel; a barrel. [Scotch and provincial.] Meta (met'a). [Gr. Etymologically the same as A. Sax. and O.E. mid, G. mit, Icel. and Goth. meth, with.] A prefix in words of Greek origin, signifying beyond, over, after, with, between; and frequently denoting change or transformation. Metabasis (me-tab'a-sis), n. [Gr., from meta, beyond, and bainō, to go.] 1. In rhet. a passing from one thing to another; transition.-2. In med. the same as Metabola. METABOLA Metabola (me-tab'o-la), n. [Gr. metabole, change, from meta, beyond, and bole, a casting.] In med. a change of some sort, as of air, time, or disease. [Rare.] Metabola (me-tab'o-la), n. pl. In entom. insects that undergo metamorphosis. Metabolian (met-a-bō'li-an), n. [Gr. metabole, change.] In entom. an insect which undergoes a metamorphosis. Metabolic (met-a-bol'ik), a. [See METABOLA] Pertaining or relating to change; capable of changing or being changed; specifically, (a) in zool. a term applied to an insect which undergoes metamorphosis. (b) In physiol. a term applied to phenomena which result from chemical changes, either in the component particles of the cell itself, or in the surrounding protoplasm. Metacarpal (met-a-kär'pal), a. Of or pertaining to the metacarpus. See HAND. Metacarpus (met-a-kär'pus), n. [Gr. metakarpion-meta, beyond, and karpos, the wrist.] In anat. the part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers. Metacentre (met-a-sen'tèr), n. [Gr. meta, beyond, and kentron, centre.] In physics, that point in a floating body in which, when the body is disturbed from the position of equilibrium, the vertical line passing through the centre of gravity of the fluid displaced (regarded as still filling the place occupied by the body) meets the line which, when the body is at rest, passes through the centre of gravity of the fluid and that of the body. In order that the body may float with stability the position of the metacentre must be above that of the centre of gravity. Metacetone (me-tas'é-tōn), n. [Gr. meta, with, and E. acetone.] (CH100.) A substance obtained by the dry distillation of a mixture of sugar, starch, gum, or mannite with finely powdered quicklime. It is a colourless liquid having a pleasant odour. Metachronism (me-tak'ron-izm), n. [Gr. meta, beyond, and chronos, time.] An error committed in chronology by placing an event after its real time. Metacism (metʼa-sizm), n. [L. metacismus, Gr. metakismos, a frequent repetition of the letter m.] A defect in pronouncing the letter m; a too frequent use or repetition of the letter m. Metacresol (met'a-krē-sol), n. [Prefix meta, and cresol.] A modification of cresol. Metagallate (met-a-gal'lat), n. [Prefix meta, and gallate.] A salt formed from metagallic acid and a base. Metagallic (met-a-gal'ik), a. [Prefix meta, and gallic.] In chem. pertaining to or derived from gallic acid; as, metagallic acid. Metage (mētāj), n. [From mete.] 1. Measurement of coal-2. Charge for or price of measuring. Metagelatine (met-a-jel ́a-tin), n. [Prefix meta, and gelatine.] In photog. the name given to a substance used as a preservative in the collodion process, consisting of a strong solution of gelatine boiled and cooled several times till it ceases to gelatinize and remains fluid. Metagenesis (met-a-jen'e-sis), n. [Gr. meta, beyond, after, change, and genesis, production, from root gen, to produce.] In zool. the changes of form which the representative of a species undergoes in passing, by a series of successively generated individuals, from the egg to the perfect state; alternation of generation. The phenomena occur in their most striking form amongst the Hydrozoa, and the steps may be indicated, in a general way, thus: (1) There is an ovum or egg, free-swimming and impregnated. (2) This ovum attaches itself to a fixed submarine object, and develops into an organized animal. (3) This organism produces buds or zooids, often of two kinds -one set nutritive, the other generativeunlike each other and unlike their parent, the whole forming a hydroid colony. (4) The generative set mature eggs, which, on being liberated, become the free-swimming impregnated ova of No. 1, and the cycle is renewed. These steps are illustrated in Sertularia. The egg is a free-swimming ciliated body, which, on becoming fixed, develops a mouth and tentacles. This organism produces by continuous gemmation two sets of buds, of which the generative set mature eggs, which become the free-swimming ciliated bodies with which the cycle began. In others, as Corynida, the generative buds become detached and exist as jelly-fish (medusoids), which produce eggs which develop, not into jelly-fish, but into the poly 159 pide or polypidom of the hydroid colony on which they were produced. In Lucernarida propagation takes place by means of fission. Metagenesis takes place amongst some of the Entozoa and Tunicata. Metagenetic, Metagenic (met'a-je-net"ik, met-a-jen'ik), a. Pertaining to metagenesis, or the production of changes in a species after its first origin, as it goes on to a more perfect state. Owen. Metagrammatism (met-a-gram'mat-izm), n. [Gr. meta, beyond, and gramma, a letter.] The transposition of the letters of a name into such a connection as to express some perfect sense applicable to the person named; anagrammatism. Metal (met'al), n. [L. metallum, Gr. metallon, a mine, a metal.] 1. Elementary substances have been divided by chemists into two classes, metals and non-metals or metalloids, but these merge one into the other by gradations so imperceptible that it is impossible to frame a definition which will not either include some non-metallic bodies or exclude some metallic. A metal is usually supposed to be: An elementary opaque body or substance, having a peculiar lustre connected with its opacity called metallic; insoluble in water; solid, except in one instance, at ordinary temperatures; generally fusible by heat; a good conductor of heat and electricity; capable, when in the state of an oxide, of uniting with acids and forming salts; and having the property, when its compounds are submitted to electrolysis, of invariably appearing at the negative pole of the battery. Many of the metals are also malleable, or susceptible of being beaten or rolled out into sheets or leaves, and some of them are extremely ductile or capable of being drawn out into wires of great fineness. They are sometimes found native or pure, but more generally combined with oxygen, sulphur, and some other elements, constituting ores. The great difference in the malleability of the metals gave rise to the old distinction of metals and semi-metals, which is now disregarded. The followingfifty-one in number-are the elementary substances usually regarded as metals:aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, bismuth, cadmium, caesium, calcium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, columbium or niobium, copper, didymium, erbium, gallium, glucinum, gold, indium, iridium, iron, lanthanum, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, osmium, palladium, platinum, potassium, rhodium, rubidium, ruthenium, silver, sodium, strontium, tantalum, tellurium, thallium, thorium, tin, titanium, tungsten, uranium, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, zirconium. Of these gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, zinc, platinum, iron, are the most malleable, gold, which possesses the quality in the greatest degree, being capable of being beaten into leaves Too of a millimetre in thickness. The following, given in the order of their ductility, are the most ductile:-platinum, silver, iron, copper, gold, aluminium, zinc, tin, lead, platinum wire having been obtained of not more than of a millimetre in diameter. The majority of the useful metals are between seven and eight times heavier than an equal bulk of water; platinum, osmium, and iridium are more than twenty times heavier; while lithium, potassium, and sodium are lighter. The metals become liquid, or otherwise change their condition, at very various temperatures: platinum is hardly fusible at the highest temperature of a furnace; iron melts at a little lower temperature; and silver somewhat lower still; while potassium melts below the boiling-point of water, and becomes vapour at a red heat, and it and sodium may be moulded like wax at 16° C. (61° Fahr.). Mercury is liquid at ordinary temperatures, and freezes only at 39° C. below zero (-38° Fahr.). Arsenic volatilizes without liquefying by heat, and is by some considered not to be a metal. Osmium and tellurium are also regarded by some as non-metals. All the metals, without exception, combine with oxygen, sulphur, and chlorine, forming oxides, sulphides, and chlorides, and many of them combine with bromine, iodine, and fluorine. Several of the later discovered metals exist in exceedingly minute quantities, and were detected only by spectrum analysis, and there is every likelihood that research in this direction will add to the present list of metals.-2. The name given by workers in glass, pottery, &c., to the material on METALLIST which they operate when in a state of fusion. 3. pl. The rails of a railway.-4.† Courage; spírit; mettle. Being glad to find their companions had so much metal, after a long debate the major part carried it. Clarendon. 5. The effective power of the guns carried by a ship of war.-Heavy metal. See under HEAVY.-6. A mine. 'Persons condemned to metals.' Jer. Taylor.-Road metal, stones broken small, used in forming the surface of roads on the principles of Macadam; ballasting. Metal (met'al), v. t. pret. & pp. metalled; ppr. metalling. To put metal on; to cover, as roads, with broken stones or metal. Metal-broker (met'al-brök-ér), n. One who trades or deals in metals. Metal-casting (met'al-kast-ing), n. The act or process of producing casts in metal by pouring it when in a state of fusion into a mould. Metaldehyde (me-tal'de-hid), n. [Prefix meta, and aldehyde (which see).] A substance into which aldehyde is partially converted when kept at the ordinary temperature. It forms long, hard, four-sided prisms. Metalepsis (met-a-lep'sis), n. [Gr. metalepsis, participation-meta, with, and lambano, to take.] Participation; assumption; alternation; in rhet. the continuation of a trope in one word through a succession of significations, or the union of two or more tropes of a different kind in one word, so that several gradations or intervening senses come between the word expressed and the thing intended by it; as, 'In one Cæsar there are many Mariuses.' Here Marius, by a synecdoche or antonomasia, is put for any ambitious, turbulent man, and this, by a metonymy of the cause, for the ill effects of such a temper to the public. Metalepsy (met'a-lep-si), n. [See METALEPSIS. ] In chem. change or variation of a series of compounds under a type, by substitutions of different elements or substances for an equivalent in the type, as when a substance contains hydrogen, and, when subjected to change, takes up an equivalent for each atom of hydrogen it loses. Metaleptic, Metaleptical (met-a-lep'tik, met-a-lep'tik-al), a. 1. Pertaining to a metalepsis or participation; translative. 2. Transverse; as, the metaleptic motion of a muscle.-3. In chem. pertaining to, resulting from, or characterized by metalepsy, or the substitution of one substance for another which has been displaced. Metaleptically (met-a-lep'tik-al-li), adv. In a metaleptical manner; by transposition. The name of promises may metaleptically be extended to comminations. Bp. Sanderson, Metalledt (met'ald), a. Mettled; sprightly; full of fire or ardour. Such a light and metall'd dance Saw you never. B. Jonson. Metallic (me-tal'ik), a. [L. metallicus, from metallum, a metal.] Pertaining to a metal or metals; consisting of or containing metal; partaking of the nature of metals; like a metal; as, a metallic substance; metallic ore; metallic brightness.-Metallic lustre. See LUSTRE.-Metallic oxide, a compound of metal and oxygen.-Metallic paper, paper the surface of which is washed over with a solution of whiting, lime, and size. Writing done with a pewter pencil upon paper prepared in this manner is almost indelible.Metallic salts, those salts which have a metallic oxide for their base, as carbonate of lead. Metallical (me-tal'ik-al), a. Same as Metallic. [Rare and obsolete.] Metallifacture (me-tal'li-fak"tür), n. [L. metallum, metal, and facio, factum, to make.] The manufacture of metals. [Rare.] Metalliferous (met-al-if'èr-us), a. [L. metallum, metal, and fero, to produce.] Producing metal; yielding metal; as, metalliferous deposits; metalliferous districts; metalliferous veins, &c. Metalliform (me-tal'i-form), a. [L. metallum, a metal, and forma, shape.] Having the form of metal; like metal. Metalline (met'al-in), a. Pertaining to a metal; consisting of or containing metal; as, metalline water. Metalling (met'al-ing), n. 1. The act of using metal for roads or railways.-2. The material, chiefly broken stones, so used. Metallist (met'al-ist), n. A worker in metals, or one skilled in metals. |
