MY, (when emphatic or distinct) m[=i], (otherwise) me, _poss. adj._ belonging to me. [Contr. of _mine_, A.S. _min_, of me.]
MYA, m[=i]'a, _n._ a genus of bivalve shells: a clam of this genus.--_n._ MY[=A]'RIA, an old name for the _Myidae_, a family of dimyarian bivalves.--_adj._ MY[=A]'RIAN. [Gr. _myax_, a sea-mussel.]
MYALGIA, m[=i]-al'ji-a, _n._ a morbid state of a muscle.--_adj._ MYAL'GIC.
[Gr. _mys_, muscle, _algos_, pain.]
MYALL, m[=i]'al, _n._ a hard, scented wood yielded by several Australian acacias, esp. good for tobacco-pipes and whip-handles.
MYCELIUM, m[=i]-s[=e]'li-um, _n._ the white thread-like parts from which a mushroom or a fungus is developed: mushroom spawn:--_pl._ MYC[=E]'LIA. [Gr.
_myk[=e]s_, a fungus, _[=e]los_, a nail or wart.]
MYCETES, m[=i]-s[=e]'t[=e]z, _n._ a kind of South American monkey, called also _Howlers._ [Gr. _myk[=e]t[=e]s_, bellower.]
MYCETES, m[=i]-s[=e]'t[=e]z, _n.pl._ mushrooms or fungi.--_ns._ MYCETOL'OGY (same as MYCOLOGY); MYCET[=O]'MA, a chronic disease of the feet and hands in India.--_n.pl._ MYCETOZ[=O]'A, a group of fungus-like organisms, now mostly contained in the division Myxomycetes or slime-fungi.--_adjs._ MYCOLOG'IC, -AL.--_ns._ MYCOL'OGIST; MYCOL'OGY, the science treating of the fungi or mushrooms; MYCOPH'AGIST; MYCOPH'AGY, the eating of fungi; MY'COSE, a kind of sugar obtained from certain lichens and fungi, as ergot of rye--also _Trehalose_; MYC[=O]'SIS, the presence of fungus growth within the body.--_adj._ MYCOT'IC. [Gr. _myk[=e]t[=e]s_, pl. of _myk[=e]s_ a mushroom.]
MYDRIASIS, mi-dr[=i]'a-sis, _n._ morbid dilatation of the pupil of the eye.--_adj._ MYDRIAT'IC.--_n._ a drug causing this.
MYELITIS, m[=i]-e-l[=i]'tis, _n._ inflammation of the substance of the spinal cord.--_ns._ MYELASTHEN[=I]'A, spinal exhaustion; MYELATR[=O]'PHIA, atrophy of the spinal cord.--_adjs._ MYELIT'IC, MY'ELOID, medullary.--_ns._ MYELOMAL[=A]'CIA, softening of the spinal cord; MYELOMENING[=I]'TIS, spinal meningitis; MY'ELON, the spinal cord.--_adjs._ MY'ELONAL, MYELON'IC. [Gr.
_myelos_, marrow.]
MYGALE, mig'a-l[=e], _n._ an American tarantula or bird-catching spider.
[Gr. _mygal[=e]_, a field-mouse.]
MYLODON, m[=i]'l[=o]-don, _n._ a genus of large fossil sloths.--_adj._ MY'LODONT. [Gr. _myl[=e]_, a mill, _odous_, _odontos_, a tooth.]
MYLOHYOID, m[=i]-l[=o]-h[=i]'oid, _adj._ pertaining to the molar teeth and to the hyoid bone.--_n._ the mylohyoid muscle. [Gr. _myl[=e]_, a mill.]
MYNA, m[=i]'na, _n._ one of several sturnoid passerine birds of India.--Also M[=I]'NA.
MYNHEER, m[=i]n-h[=a]r', _n._ my lord: Dutch form of _Mr_ or _Sir_: a Dutchman. [Dut. _mijn_, my, _heer_, lord.]
MYOID, m[=i]'oid, _adj._ like muscle.--_n._ MY'OBLAST, a cell producing muscle-tissue.--_adj._ MYOBLAST'IC.--_ns._ MYOCARD[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the myocardium; MYOCAR'DIUM, the muscular substance of the heart; MYODYN[=A]'MIA, muscular force; MY'OGRAM, the tracing of a contracting and relaxing muscle by the myograph; MY'OGRAPH, an instrument for noting and recording muscular contractions.--_adjs._ MYOGRAPH'IC, -AL, relating to myography.--_ns._ MYOG'RAPHIST; MYOG'RAPHY, a description of the muscles of the body.--_adj._ MYOLOG'ICAL.--_ns._ MYOL'OGIST; MYOL'OGY, the part of anatomy which treats of the muscles; MY[=O]'MA, a tumour composed of muscular tissue; MYONIC'ITY, the contractile property of muscular tissue.
[Gr. _mys_, _myos_, muscle.]
MYOMANCY, m[=i]'o-man-si, _n._ divination from the movements of mice.--_adj._ MYOMAN'TIC. [Gr. _mys_, a mouse, _manteia_, divination.]
MYOPIA, m[=i]-[=o]'pi-a, _n._ shortness or nearness of sight.--_adj._ MYOP'IC.--_ns._ MY'OPS, MY'OPE, a short-sighted person. [Gr.,--_myein_, to close, _[=o]ps_, the eye.]
MYOSIN, m[=i]'[=o]-sin, _n._ an albuminous compound contained in the contractile muscular tissue.
MYOSIS, m[=i]-[=o]'sis, _n._ abnormal contraction of the pupil of the eye.--_adjs._ MYOSIT'IC; MYOT'IC. [Gr. _myein_, to close.]
MYOSITIS, m[=i]-o-s[=i]'tis, _n._ inflammation of a muscle--properly MY'ITIS.
MYOSOTIS, m[=i]-[=o]-s[=o]'tis, _n._ a genus of annual or perennial herbs of the borage family, with alternate leaves and simple or branched racemes of bractless blue, pink, or white flowers: a flower of this genus, as the common blue forget-me-not. [Gr. _mys_, _myos_, a mouse, _ous_, _[=o]tos_, an ear.]
MYOTOMY, m[=i]-ot'o-mi, _n._ the dissection of the muscles. [Gr. _mys_, _myos_, muscle, _temnein_, to cut.]
MYRIAD, mir'i-ad, _n._ any immense number.--_adj._ numberless. [Gr.
_myrias_, _myriados_, ten thousand.]
MYRIAPOD, mir'i-a-pod, (more correctly) MYR'IOPOD, _n._ a worm-shaped animal with many-jointed legs.--_n._ MYRIAP'ODA, a class of jointed animals, of which some of the lower kinds have an immense number of legs.
[Gr. _myrios_, numberless, _pous_, _podos_, a foot.]
MYRICA, mi-r[=i]'ka, _n._ a genus of shrubs of the sweet-gale family, including the bay-berry or wax-myrtle, yielding a tallow used for candles.
[Gr. _myrik[=e]_.]
MYRIORAMA, mir-i-o-ra'ma, _n._ a picture composed of interchangeable parts which can be combined into a variety of pictures. [Gr. _myrios_, numberless, _horama_, a view.]
MYRIOSCOPE, mir'i-o-sk[=o]p, _n._ a variety of kaleidoscope, esp. a form of it consisting of mirrors so arranged as by multiplied reflection from a small piece of carpet to show how it looks covering a whole floor. [Gr.
_myrios_, numberless, _skopein_, to view.]
MYRISTICA, m[=i]-ris'ti-ka, _n._ a genus of fragrant apetalous trees--the nutmegs: the kernel of the seed of _Myristica fragrans_, as used in cookery. [Gr. _myrizein_, to anoint.]
MYRMIDON, m[.e]r'mi-don, _n._ one of a tribe of warriors who accompanied Achilles to Troy: one of a ruffianly band under a daring leader: one who carries out another's orders without fear or pity.--_adj._ MYRMID[=O]'NIAN.--MYRMIDONS OF THE LAW, policemen, bailiffs, &c. [L.,--Gr.]
MYROBALAN, m[=i]-rob'a-lan, _n._ the astringent fruit of certain Indian mountain species of _Terminalia_. [Gr. _myron_, an unguent, _balanos_, a corn.]
MYRRH, m[.e]r, _n._ a bitter, aromatic, transparent gum, exuded from the bark of a shrub in Arabia.--_adj._ MYR'RHIC.--_ns._ MYR'RHIN, the fixed resin of myrrh; MYR'RHOL, the volatile oil of myrrh. [O. Fr. _mirre_ (Fr.
_myrrhe_)--L. and Gr. _myrrha_--Ar. _murr_.]
MYRRHINE. Same as MURRINE.
MYRTLE, m[.e]r'tl, _n._ an evergreen shrub with beautiful and fragrant leaves.--_n._ MYR'TLE-WAX, wax from the candle-berry. [O. Fr. _myrtil_, dim. of _myrte_--L. and Gr. _myrtus_.]
MYSELF, m[=i]-self', or me-self', _pron._ I or me, in person--used for the sake of emphasis and also as the reciprocal of me.
MYSTAGOGUE, mis'ta-g[=o]g, _n._ an initiator into religious mysteries, a teacher or catechist--also MYSTAG[=O]'GUS.--_adj._ MYSTAGOG'IC (-goj'-).--_n._ MYS'TAGOGY (-goj-), the practice of a mystagogue: the sacraments. [Gr. _myst[=e]s_, one initiated, _ag[=o]gos_, a leader.]
MYSTERY, mis't[.e]r-i, _n._ a secret doctrine: anything very obscure: that which is beyond human knowledge to explain: anything artfully made difficult: (_pl._) secret rites, in ancient religions rites known only to and practised by initiated persons, as the Eleusinian mysteries in Greece, &c.: a sacrament: a rude medieval drama founded on the historical parts of the Bible and the lives of the saints--the Basque _pastorales_ are a survival.--_adj._ MYST[=E]'RIOUS, containing mystery: obscure: secret: incomprehensible.--_adv._ MYST[=E]'RIOUSLY.--_n._ MYST[=E]'RIOUSNESS. [M.
E. _mysterie_--L. _mysterium_--Gr. _myst[=e]rion_--_myst[=e]s_, one initiated--_muein_, to close the eyes.]
MYSTERY, mis't[.e]r-i, _n._ a trade, handicraft. [M. E. _mistere_--O. Fr.
_mestier_ (Fr. _metier_)--L. _ministerium_--_minister_. Prop. _mistery_; the form _mystery_ is due to confusion with the above.]
MYSTIC, -AL, mis'tik, -al, _adj._ relating to, or containing, mystery: sacredly obscure or secret: involving a sacred or a secret meaning hidden from the eyes of the ordinary reader, only revealed to a spiritually enlightened mind, allegorical: belonging to mysticism.--_n._ MYS'TIC, one who seeks for direct intercourse with God in elevated religious feeling or ecstasy.--_adv._ MYS'TICALLY.--_ns._ MYS'TICALNESS, the quality of being mystical; MYS'TICISM, the doctrine of the mystics, a tendency of religious feeling marked by an effort to attain to direct and immediate communion with God: obscurity of doctrine; MYSTIFIC[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ MYS'TIFY, to make mysterious, obscure, or secret: to involve in mystery:--_pr.p._ mys'tifying; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ mys'tified.--MYSTIC RECITATION, the recitation of parts of the Greek liturgy in an inaudible voice; MYSTICAL THEOLOGY, the knowledge of divine things attained by spiritual insight and experience only, without authority, the process of reason, &c. [L.
_mysticus_--Gr. _mystikos_. Cf. _Mystery_, a secret doctrine.]
MYTACISM, m[=i]'ta-sizm, _n._ a too recurrent use of the letter _m_ in speech or writing.
MYTH, mith, _n._ a fable, a legend, a fabulous narrative founded on a remote event, esp. those made in the early period of a people's existence: an invented story: a falsehood.--_adjs._ MYTH'IC, -AL, relating to myths: fabulous: untrue.--_adv._ MYTH'ICALLY.--_ns._ MYTH'ICIST, MYTH'ICISER, an adherent of the mythical theory; MYTH'IST, a maker of myths; MYTHOGEN'ESIS, the production of, or the tendency to originate, myths; MYTHOG'RAPHER, a writer or narrator of myths; MYTHOG'RAPHY, representation of myths in graphic or plastic art, art-mythology; MYTHOL'OGER, MYTHOL[=O]'GIAN, a mythologist.--_adjs._ MYTHOLOG'IC, -AL, relating to mythology, fabulous.--_adv._ MYTHOLOG'ICALLY.--_v.t._ MYTHOL'OGISE, to interpret or explain myths: to render mythical.--_ns._ MYTHOL'OGISER, one who, or that which, mythologises; MYTHOL'OGIST, one versed in, or who writes on, mythology; MYTHOL'OGY, the myths or stories of a country: a treatise regarding myths: a collection of myths: the science which investigates myths; MYTHON'OMY, the deductive and predictive stage of mythology; MYTH'OPLASM, a narration of mere fable; MYTHOPOE'IST, a myth-maker.--_adjs._ MYTHOPOET'IC, MYTHOPOE'IC, myth-making, tending to generate myth.--_n._ MYTH'US, the same as _myth_:--_pl._ MYTH'[=I].--MYTHICAL THEORY, the theory of D. F. Strauss (1808-74) and his school, that the Gospels are mainly a collection of myths, developed during the first two centuries, from the imagination of the followers of Jesus; COMPARATIVE MYTHOLOGY, the science which investigates myths and seeks to relate those of different races. [Gr. _mythos_.]
MYTILUS, mit'i-lus, _n._ a genus of bivalves, or an individual bivalve belonging to it.--_adjs._ MYTIL'IFORM, MYT'ILOID.
MYXOEDEMA, mik-s[=e]-d[=e]'ma, _n._ a diseased condition occurring in adults, generally females, characterised by a thickening of the subcutaneous tissue, most noticeable in the face, with a simultaneous dulling of all the faculties and slowing of the movements of the body. A precisely similar condition occurs in many cases where the thyroid gland has been removed for disease. [Gr. _myxa_, mucus, and Eng. _edema_.]
MYXOMA, mik-s[=o]'ma, _n._ a tumour consisting of mucous tissue--also _Collonema_. [Gr. _myxa_, mucus.]