MENDICANT, men'di-kant, _adj._ in the condition of a beggar: practising beggary.--_n._ one who is in extreme want: a beggar: a member of one of the R.C. orders who live by begging: a begging friar.--_ns._ MEN'DICANCY, MENDIC'ITY, the state of being a mendicant or beggar: the life of a beggar.--MENDICANT ORDERS, religious bodies who depended on begging for their support. [L. _mendicans_, _-antis_, pr.p. of _mendic[=a]re_, to beg--_mendicus_, a beggar.]
MENDS, mendz, for _amends_.
MENHADEN, men-h[=a]'dn, _n._ a species of herring or shad, found off the east coast of the United States.
MENHIR, men'h[=e]r, _n._ a tall, often massive, stone, set up on end as a monument in ancient times, either singly or in groups, circles, &c. [W.
_maen_, a stone, _hir_, long.]
MENIAL, m[=e]'ni-al, _adj._ of or pertaining to a train of servants: doing servile work: low.--_n._ a domestic servant: one performing servile work: a person of servile disposition. [O. Fr., _mesnee_, a household. See MANSION.]
MENINX, m[=e]'ningks, _n._ one of three membranes that envelop the brain:--_pl._ MENINIGES (men-in'j[=e]z).--_adj._ MENING'EAL.--_ns._ MENINGITIS (-j[=i]'-), inflammation of the membranes investing the brain or spinal cord; MENING'OCELE, hernia of those membranes. [Gr. _meninx_, _meningos_, a membrane.]
MENISCUS, m[=e]-nis'kus, _n._ a crescent or a new moon: a lens hollow on one side and bulging on the other.--_adjs._ MENIS'CAL; MENIS'CATE; MENIS'CIFORM; MENIS'COID. [Gr. _m[=e]n[=e]_, the moon, _-iskos_, small.]
MENNONITE, men'on-[=i]t, _n._ one of a Protestant sect, combining some of the distinctive characteristics of the Baptists and Friends. [From _Menno_ Simons (died 1559), their chief founder.]
MENOLOGY, m[=e]-nol'o-ji, _n._ a register of months: a list or calendar of martyrs, with festivals celebrated, &c.
MENOPOME, men'o-p[=o]m, _n._ a large North American amphibian--from its persistent gill-aperture. [Gr. _menein_, to remain, _p[=o]ma_, lid.]
MENSAL, men'sal, _adj._ occurring once in a month: monthly.--Also MEN'SUAL.
MENSAL, men'sal, _adj._ belonging to the table. [L.]
MENSE, mens, _n._ (_Scot._) propriety: ornament: credit.--_v.t._ to grace or set off something.--_adjs._ MENSE'FUL, decorous: respectable; MENSE'LESS, graceless, uncivil. [M. E. _mensk_--A.S. _mennisc_, mannish.]
MENSES, men's[=e]z, _n.pl._ the monthly discharge from the uterus.--_ns._ MEN'OPAUSE, the final cessation of the menses; MENORRH[=A]'GIA (_phys._), the ordinary flow of the menses: (_path._) an immoderate menstrual discharge.--_adj._ MENORRHAG'IC.--_n._ MENOS'TASIS, the retention of the menses.--_n.pl._ MEN'STRUA, the menses.--_adjs._ MEN'STRUAL, monthly; MEN'STRUANT, subject to menses.--_v.i._ MEN'STRU[=A]TE, to discharge the menses.--_n._ MENSTRU[=A]'TION.--_adj._ MEN'STRUOUS, having or belonging to menses. [Pl. of L. _mensis_, a month.]
MENSTRUUM, men'str[=oo]-um, _n._ any fluid substance which dissolves a solid body.
MENSURABLE, mens'[=u]-ra-bl, _adj._ that can be measured: measurable.--_n._ MENSURABIL'ITY, quality of being mensurable.--_adj._ MENS'URAL, pertaining to measure.--_n._ MENSUR[=A]'TION, the act or art of finding by measurement and calculation the length, area, volume, &c. of bodies.--_adj._ MENSUR[=A]'TIVE. [L. _mensur[=a]re_, to measure.]
MENT, ment (_obs._), _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _ming_, to mix.
MENTAL, men'tal, _adj._ pertaining to the mind: done in the mind.--_ns._ MENTAL'ITY, MENT[=A]'TION.--_adv._ MEN'TALLY.--_adjs._ MENTICUL'TURAL, improving the mind; MENTIF'EROUS, conveying thought, telepathic.--MENTAL ALIENATION, insanity; MENTAL ARITHMETIC, arithmetic performed without the help of written figures. [Fr.,--L. _mens_, _mentis_, the mind.]
MENTHOL, men'thol, _n._ a camphor obtained from oil of peppermint by cooling, which gives relief in neuralgia, &c. [L. _mentha_, mint.]
MENTION, men'shun, _n._ a brief notice: a hint.--_v.t._ to notice briefly: to remark: to name.--_adj._ MEN'TIONABLE, fit to be mentioned. [L.
_mentio_, _-onis_.]
MENTONNIeRE, men-ton-ny[=a]r', _n._ a piece of armour attached to the helmet, worn to protect the chin and throat. [Fr., _menton_, the chin--L.
_mentum_.]
MENTOR, men'tor, _n._ a wise counsellor.--_adj._ MENTOR'IAL. [Gr.
_Ment[=o]r_, the tutor of Telemachus.]
MENTUM, men'tum, _n._ the chin: the central part of the labium in insects: (_bot._) a projection in front of the flower in some orchids.--_n._ MENTAG'RA, an eruption about the chin forming a crust.--_adj._ MEN'TAL (_anat._), pertaining to the chin. [L., the chin.]
MENU, men'u, _n._ a bill of fare. [Fr.,--L. _minutus_, small.]
MEPHISTOPHELES, mef-is-tof'e-l[=e]z, _n._ the name of the devil in Marlowe's _Doctor Faustus_ and Goethe's _Faust_.--_adj._ MEPHISTOPH[=E]'LEAN, cynical, scoffing, malicious. [Ety. unknown; prob.
formed from Gr. _m[=e]_, not, _ph[=o]s_ (_phot-_), light, _philos_, loving.]
MEPHITIS, me-f[=i]'tis, _n._ a poisonous exhalation from the ground or from decaying substances--also MEPH[=I]'TISM.--_adjs._ MEPHIT'IC, -AL. [L.
_mephitis_.]
MERCANTILE, m[.e]r'kan-t[=i]l, _adj._ pertaining to merchants: having to do with trade: commercial.--_ns._ MER'CANTILISM; MER'CANTILIST.--MERCANTILE AGENCY, a means of getting information about the circumstances of merchants all over the country, for the use of those who sell to them; MERCANTILE LAW, the points of law referring to the dealings of merchants with each other; MERCANTILE MARINE, the ships and their crews which in any country are employed in commerce; MERCANTILE SYSTEM (_polit. econ._), the system of encouraging exportation and restricting importation, so that more may be received than is paid away. [Fr.,--Low L.--L. _mercans_, _-antis_, pr.p. of _merc[=a]ri_, to trade--_merx_, _mercis_, merchandise--_mer[=e]re_, to gain.]
MERCATOR'S PROJECTION. See under PROJECT.
MERCENARY, m[.e]r'se-nar-i, _adj._ hired for money: actuated by the hope of reward: greedy of gain: sold or done for money.--_n._ one who is hired: a soldier hired into foreign service.--_adv._ MER'CENARILY. [Fr.,--L., _mercenarius_--_merces_, hire.]
MERCER, m[.e]r's[.e]r, _n._ a merchant in silks and woollen cloths, or in small wares.--_n._ MER'CERY, the trade of a mercer: the goods of a mercer.
[Fr. _mercier_.]
MERCHANT, m[.e]r'chant, _n._ one who carries on trade, esp. on a large scale: one who buys and sells goods: a trader: (_obs._) a supercargo: a merchant-vessel.--_adj._ pertaining to trade or merchandise.--_v.i._ MERCH'AND (_Bacon_), to trade or traffic.--_n._ MER'CHAND[=I]SE, goods bought and sold for gain: (_B._ and _Shak._) trade: dealing.--_adjs._ MER'CHANTABLE, suitable for sale: inferior to the very best, but suitable for ordinary purposes; MER'CHANT-LIKE (_Shak._), like a merchant.--_ns._ MER'CHANTMAN, a trading-ship: (_B._) a merchant:--_pl._ MER'CHANTMEN; MER'CHANTRY, the business of a merchant; merchants collectively.--MERCHANT PRINCE, one who has made a great fortune as a merchant; MERCHANT SERVICE, the ships, &c., engaged in commerce: the commerce which is carried on by sea; MERCHANT SHIP or VESSEL, a ship used for carrying goods; MERCHANT TAILOR, a tailor who supplies the cloth for the clothes which he makes.
[Fr. _marchand_.]
MERCURY, m[.e]r'k[=u]-ri, _n._ the god of merchandise and eloquence, and the messenger of the gods: the planet nearest the sun: a white, liquid metal, also called _quicksilver_: the column of mercury in a thermometer or barometer: a messenger: a newspaper.--_adj._ MERC[=U]'RIAL, having the qualities said to belong to the god Mercury: active: sprightly: often changing: of or pertaining to trade: containing, or consisting of, mercury--also MERC[=U]'RIC.--_v.t._ MERC[=U]'RIALISE (_med._), to affect with mercury: to expose to the vapour of mercury.--_n._ MERC[=U]'RIALIST.--_adv._ MERC[=U]'RIALLY.--_n._ MERCURIFIC[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ MERC[=U]'RIFY.--_adj._ MER'C[=U]ROUS.
[Fr.,--L. _Mercurius_--_merx_, _mercis_, merchandise.]
MERCY, m[.e]r'si, _n._ tenderness and forbearance shown in sparing an offender in one's power: a forgiving disposition: clemency: an act of mercy: an undeserved blessing: compassion or benevolence.--_adjs._ MER'CIABLE (_Spens._), merciful; MER'CIFUL, full of, or exercising, mercy.--_adv._ MER'CIFULLY.--_n._ MER'CIFULNESS.--_v.t._ MER'CIFY (_Spens._), to deal mercifully with, to pity.--_adj._ MER'CILESS, without mercy: unfeeling: cruel.--_adv._ MER'CILESSLY.--_ns._ MER'CILESSNESS, want of mercy; MER'CY-SEAT, the seat or place of mercy; the covering of the Jewish Ark of the Covenant: the throne of God.--AT THE MERCY OF (another), wholly in the power of; FOR MERCY! or FOR MERCY'S SAKE! an exclamatory appeal to pity; GREAT MERCY=_Gramercy_; SISTERS OF MERCY, members of female religious communities who tend the sick, &c. [Fr. _merci_, grace--L.
_merces_, _mercedis_, pay, in later L. also 'favour.']
MERE, m[=e]r, _n._ a pool or lake.--Also MEER. [A.S. _mere_; Ger. and Dut.
_meer_, L. _mare_, the sea.]
MERE, m[=e]r, _adj._ unmixed: pure: only this and nothing else: alone: absolute.--_adj._ MERED (_Shak._), only, entire.--_adv._ MERE'LY, purely, simply: only: thus and no other way: solely. [L. _merus_, unmixed (of wine).]
MERE, m[=e]r, _n._ a boundary.--_v.t._ to limit or bound.--_ns._ MERE'STEAD, the land within the boundaries of a farm: MERE'STONE, a stone which marks a boundary. [A.S. _ge-m['ae]re_.]
MERETRICIOUS, mer-e-trish'us, _adj._ of or pertaining to harlots: alluring by false show: gaudy and deceitful: false.--_adv._ MERETRIC'IOUSLY.--_ns._ MERETRIC'IOUSNESS; MER'ETRIX, a harlot. [L. _meretricius_--_meretrix_, a harlot, _mer[=e]re_, to earn.]
MERGANSER, m[.e]r-gan's[.e]r, _n._ a diving bird, sea-duck. [L. _mergus_, a diving bird, _anser_, a goose.]
MERGE, m[.e]rj, _v.t._ to dip or plunge in: to sink: to cause to be swallowed up.--_v.i._ to be swallowed up, or lost.--_n._ MER'GER (_law_), a sinking of an estate or a security in one of larger extent or of higher value. [L. _merg[)e]re_, _mersum_.]
MERICARP, mer'i-karp, _n._ one carpel or part of the fruit of an umbelliferous plant. [Gr. _meros_, a part, _karpos_, fruit.]
MERIDIAN, me-rid'i-an, _adj._ pertaining to midday: being on the meridian or at midday: raised to the highest point.--_n._ midday: a midday dram: the highest point, as of success: an imaginary circle on the earth's surface passing through the poles and any given place: (_astron._) an imaginary circle, passing through the poles of the heavens, and the zenith of the spectator, which the sun crosses at midday.--_adj._ MERID'IONAL, pertaining to the meridian: southern: having a southern aspect.--_n._ MERIDIONAL'ITY.--_adv._ MERID'IONALLY.--MERIDIAN SPLENDOUR, fullest point of brightness; MERIDIAN SUN, the sun at its full height, as at midday.--FIRST MERIDIAN, the meridian passing through Greenwich, from which longitudes are measured east or west; MAGNETIC MERIDIAN (see MAGNETIC).
[Fr.,--L. _meridianus_, from _meridies_ (orig. _medidies_), midday--_medius_, middle, _dies_, day.]
MERINGUE, me-rang', _n._ a mixture of sugar and white of eggs slightly browned for garnishing other confections: a pudding or tart covered with this.--MERINGUE GLACe, ice-cream with a casing of meringue. [Fr., prob.
from _Mehringen_.]
MERINO, me-r[=e]'_no_, _n._ a variety of sheep having very fine wool, originally from Spain: a fine French all-wool dress fabric for women, originally of merino wool.--_adj._ belonging to the merino sheep or their wool. [Sp.,--_merino_, inspector of sheep-walks--Low L. _majorinus_, a head-man--L. _major_, greater.]