Madrepora - Magma

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Madrepora (mădr�pōrȧ), n. [NL. See .] (Zoöl.) A genus of reef corals abundant in tropical seas. It includes than one hundred and fifty species, most of which are elegantly branched. -- Madreporal (#), a.
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Madreporaria (?), n. pl. [NL. See .] (Zoöl.) An extensive division of Anthozoa, including most of the species that produce stony corals. See Illust. of . -- Madreporarian (#), a. & n.
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Madrepore (?), n. [F. madrepore, perh. fr. madré spotted, fr. OF. madre, mazre, a kind of knotty wood with brown spots, fr. OHG. masar a knot, grain, or vein in wood, a speck, G. maser + pore (see ); or perh. F. madrépore is rather from It. madrepora, and this perh. fr. It. madre mother (see ) + Gr. � a soft stone.] (Zoöl.) Any coral of the genus Madrepora, a group of corals having calcareous skeletons aggregations of which form reefs and islands; formerly, often applied to any stony coral.
Syn. -- stony coral, madriporian coral.
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madriporian coral n. A madrepore .
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{ Madreporian (?), Madreporic (?), } a. (Zoöl.) Resembling, or pertaining to, the genus Madrepora.
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Coloq. Madreporic plate (Zoöl.), a perforated plate in echinoderms, through which water is admitted to the ambulacral tubes; -- called also madreporic tubercule.
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Madreporiform (?), a. [Madrepore + -form.] (Zoöl.) Resembling a madreporian coral in form or structure.
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Madreporite (?), n. [Cf. F. madréporite] 1. (Paleon.) A fossil coral.
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2. (Zoöl.) The madreporic plate of echinoderms.
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Madrier (?), n. [F., from Sp. madero, or Pg. madeiro, fr. Sp. madera wood for building, timber, Pg. madeira, L. materia stuff, materials, lumber. See .] A thick plank, used for several mechanical purposes; especially: (a) A plank to receive the mouth of a petard, with which it is applied to anything intended to be broken down. (b) A plank or beam used for supporting the earth in mines or fortifications.
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Madrigal (mădrĭg�l), n. [It. madrigale, OIt. madriale, mandriale (cf. LL. matriale); of uncertain origin, possibly fr. It mandra flock, L. mandra stall, herd of cattle, Gr. mandra fold, stable; hence, madrigal, originally, a pastoral song.] 1. A little amorous poem, sometimes called a pastoral poem, containing some tender and delicate, though simple, thought.
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Whose artful strains have oft delayed
The huddling brook to hear his madrigal. Milton.
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2. (Mus.) An unaccompanied polyphonic song, in four, five, or more parts, set to secular words, but full of counterpoint and imitation, and adhering to the old church modes. Unlike the freer glee, it is best sung with several voices on a part. See .
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Madrigaler (?), n. A madrigalist.
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Madrigalist, n. A composer of madrigals.
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Madrilenian (?), a. [Sp. Madrileño.] Of or pertaining to Madrid in Spain, or to its inhabitants. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Madrid.
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Madrina (?), n. [Sp., prop., a godmother.] An animal (usually an old mare), wearing a bell and acting as the leader of a troop of pack mules. [S. America]
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madrona, madroña, madrono (?), n. [Sp. madroño.] (Bot.) A small evergreen tree or shrub (Arbutus Menziesii), of Pacific North America, having a smooth bark, thick glossy leathery leaves, and edible orange-red berries, which are often called madroña apples; the wood is used for furniture and the bark for tanning. [Written also madroño.]
Syn. -- madrona, manzanita, Arbutus menziesii.
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madrilene n. a tomato-flavored consomme, often served chilled.
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madwoman n. a woman lunatic.
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Madwort (?), n. (Bot.) A genus of cruciferous plants (Alyssum) with white or yellow flowers and rounded pods. Alyssum maritimum is the commonly cultivated sweet alyssum, a fragrant white-flowered annual.
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Maeandra n. (Zool.) A genus of brain corals.
Syn. -- genus Maeandra.
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Mae West prop. n. [after Mae West (1892-1980) an actress with a well-developed bosom.] An inflatable life jacket, originally used as a personal flotation device by aviators downed at sea.
Syn. -- air jacket.
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{ Mægbote, Magbote } (?), n. [AS. mǣg kinsman + bōt compensation.] (Anglo-Saxon Law) Compensation for the injury done by slaying a kinsman. Spelman.
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Maelstrom (?), n. [Norw., a whirlpool.] 1. A celebrated whirlpool on the coast of Norway. Hence: any large or powerful whirlpool.
Syn. -- whirlpool, vortex.
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2. Also (Fig.) An uncontrollable agitated or confusedly disordered state or situation; as, a maelstrom of vice.
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Mænad (?), n. [L. Maenas, -adis, Gr. �, �, fr. � to rave.] 1. A Bacchante; a priestess or votary of Bacchus.
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2. A frantic or frenzied woman.
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Maestoso (?), a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.) Majestic or majestically; -- a direction to perform a passage or piece of music in a dignified manner.
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Maestricht monitor (?). [So called from Maestricht, a town in Holland.] (Paleon.) The Mosasaurus Hofmanni. See .
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Maestro (mīstr�; It. mä�str�), n. [It., fr. L. magister. See .] A master in any art, especially in music; a composer or orchestra conductor.
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Mafa (?) prop. n.. (Linguistics) A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad; called also Matakam.
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{ Maffia (?), Mafia (?) }, n. [It. maffia.] 1. A secret society which organized in Sicily as a political organization, but is now widespread among Italians, and is used to further or protect private interests, reputedly by illegal methods; called also the Sicilian Mafia. [wns=2]
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2. A group of loosely associated of criminal organizations in the United States, some having ties to the Sicilian Mafia, and organized in “families”; the term is applied to the entire group of organizations, or to any one local group. Also, loosely, organized groups of criminals anywhere, as the Russian mafia. [wns=1]
Syn. -- syndicate, mob, Cosa Nostra, La Cosa Nostra, organized crime.
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3. Any tightly knit group of trusted associates having strong control or influence in some area; as, Kennedy and his Irish Mafia. [informal] [wns=3]
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maffick v. i. to celebrate publicly with boisterous rejoicing and hilarious and extravagant behavior. [Chiefly Brit.]
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{ Maffioso (?), Mafioso (?) }, n.; pl. -si (#). [It. maffioso.] A member of the mafia.
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Maffle (?), v. i. [Akin to OD. maffelen to stammer. Cf. to mumble.] To stammer. [Obs.]
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Maffler (?), n. A stammerer. [Obs.]
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{ Mafia (?), Mafioso (?) }, n. see , .
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mag n. Shortened form of magazine, the periodic paperback publication. [slang]
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Magadhan prop. n. (Linguistics) A subfamily of Indic languages.
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Magazine (?), n. [F. magasin, It. magazzino, or Sp. magacen, almagacen; all fr. Ar. makhzan, almakhzan, a storehouse, granary, or cellar.]
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1. A receptacle in which anything is stored, especially military stores, as ammunition, arms, provisions, etc. “Armories and magazines.” Milton.
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2. The building or room in which the supply of powder is kept in a fortification or a ship.
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3. A chamber in a gun for holding a number of cartridges to be fed automatically to the piece.
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4. A pamphlet published periodically containing miscellaneous papers or compositions.
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5. A country or district especially rich in natural products.
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6. A city viewed as a marketing center.
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7. A reservoir or supply chamber for a stove, battery, camera, typesetting machine, or other apparatus.
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8. A store, or shop, where goods are kept for sale.
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Coloq. Magazine dress , clothing made chiefly of woolen, without anything metallic about it, to be worn in a powder magazine. -- Coloq. Magazine gun , a portable firearm, as a rifle, with a chamber carrying cartridges which are brought automatically into position for firing. -- Coloq. Magazine stove , a stove having a chamber for holding fuel which is supplied to the fire by some self-feeding process, as in the common base-burner.
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Magazine (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Magazined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Magazining.] To store in, or as in, a magazine; to store up for use.
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Magazine camera. (Photog.) A camera in which a number of plates can be exposed without reloading.
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Magaziner (?), n. One who edits or writes for a magazine. [R.] Goldsmith.
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Magazine rack (?), n. A rack or stand for displaying magazines{4}.
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Magazining, n. The act of editing, or writing for, a magazine. [Colloq.] Byron.
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Magazinist, n. One who edits or writes for a magazine. [R.]
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Magbote (?), n. See .
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Magdala (?), a. Designating an orange-red dyestuff obtained from naphthylamine, and called magdala red, naphthalene red, etc.
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Magdalen (?), n. [From Mary Magdalene, traditionally reported to have been the repentant sinner forgiven by Christ. See Luke vii. 36.] A reformed prostitute.
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Magdaleon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � crumb of bread, fr. � to knead.] (Med.) A medicine in the form of a roll, a esp. a roll of plaster.
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Magdeburg (?), n. A city of Saxony.
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Coloq. Magdeburg centuries , Coloq. Magdeburg hemispheres . See under , and .
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Mage (?), n. [F. mage. See .] A magician. [Archaic] Spenser. Tennyson.
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Magellanic (?), a. Of or pertaining to, or named from, Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521), the navigator.
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Magellanic cloud (?), n. (Astron.) Either of two conspicuous celestial nebulæ near the south celestial pole, resembling thin white clouds, each of which is a galaxy{2} smaller than but separate from the Milky Way galaxy, and together they are the galactic formations nearest to our galaxy. They are not visible from the northern hemisphere, and are named after Ferdinand Magellan, who saw them in his expedition, which passed through the Strait of Magellan in South America, and one ship of which completed the first circumnavigation of the globe.
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Magen David (?), n. [Hebrew, shield of David.] A hexagram{1a}, when used as the symbol of Judaism; called also Mogen David and Star of David. It is included on the flag of Israel
Syn. -- Star of David, Mogen David.
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magenta (mȧjĕntȧ), n. (Chem.) An aniline dye obtained as an amorphous substance having a green bronze surface color, which dissolves to a shade of red; also, the color; -- so called from Magenta, in Italy, in allusion to the battle fought there about the time the dye was discovered. Called also fuchsin, fuchsine, roseïne, etc.
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2. The purplish-red color of magenta.
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Magged (măgd), a. (Naut.) Worn; fretted; as, a magged brace. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
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Maggiore (mädjōr�), a. [It., from L. major, compar. of magnus great. See .] (Mus.) Greater, in respect to scales, intervals, etc., when used in opposition to minor; major. Moore (Encyc. of Music).
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Maggot (?), n. [W. macai, pl. maceiod, magiod, a worn or grub; cf. magu to bread.] 1. (Zoöl.) The footless larva of any fly. See .
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2. A whim; an odd fancy. Hudibras. Tennyson.
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Maggotiness (?), n. State of being maggoty.
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Maggotish, a. Full of whims or fancies; maggoty.
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Maggot-pie (?), n. A magpie. [Obs.] Shak.
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Maggoty (?), a. 1. Infested with maggots.
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2. Full of whims; capricious. Norris.
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Magh (?), n. The eleventh month of the Hindu calendar.
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Maghet (?), n. [Cf. Fl. maghet maid.] (Bot.) A name for daisies and camomiles of several kinds.
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Magi (?), n. pl. [L., pl. of Magus, Gr. �; of Per. origin. Cf. , .] A caste of priests, philosophers, and magicians, among the ancient Persians; hence, any holy men or sages of the East.
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The inspired Magi from the Orient came. Sandys.
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Magian (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Magi.
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Magian, n. One of the Magi, or priests of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia; an adherent of the Zoroastrian religion. -- Magianism (#), n.
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Magic (?), n. [OE. magique, L. magice, Gr. � (sc. �), fr. �. See , a., and .] 1. A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to produce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a study of occult science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc.
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An appearance made by some magic. Chaucer.
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2. The art of creating illusions which appear to the observer to be inexplicable except by some supernatural influence; it includes simple sleight of hand (legerdemain) as well as more elaborate stage magic, using special devices constructed to produce mystifying effects; as, the magic of David Copperfield. It is practised as an entertainment, by magicians who do not pretend to have supernatural powers.
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Coloq. Celestial magic , a supposed supernatural power which gave to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets, and to the planets an influence over men. -- Coloq. Natural magic , the art of employing the powers of nature to produce effects apparently supernatural. -- Coloq. Superstitious magic , or Coloq. Geotic magic , the invocation of devils or demons, involving the supposition of some tacit or express agreement between them and human beings.
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Syn. -- Sorcery; witchcraft; necromancy; conjuration; enchantment.
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{ Magic (?), Magical (?), } a. [L. magicus, Gr. �, fr. �: cf. F. magique. See .] 1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and the producing of effects by their agency.
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2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or sorcery; as, a magical spell. Hence: Seemingly requiring more than human power; imposing or startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or very extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a magic square or circle.
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The painter's magic skill. Cowper.
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☞ Although with certain words magic is used more than magical, -- as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand, -- we may in general say magic or magical; as, a magic or magical effect; a magic or magical influence, etc. But when the adjective is predicative, magical, and not magic, is used; as, the effect was magical.
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Coloq. Magic circle , a series of concentric circles containing the numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat similar properties to the magic square. -- Coloq. Magic humming bird (Zoöl.), a Mexican humming bird (Iache magica) , having white downy thing tufts. -- Coloq. Magic lantern . See . -- Coloq. Magic square , numbers so disposed in parallel and equal rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series, according as the numbers taken are in arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonical progression. -- Coloq. Magic wand , a wand used by a magician in performing feats of magic.
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Magically (?), adv. In a magical manner; by magic, or as if by magic.
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magic bullet n. [From the notion of a bullet that will kill only the bacterium or disease it is intended for.] A drug or therapy or preventive that cures or prevents a disease, with only minimal side effects; as, there is no magic bullet against cancer.
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Magician (?), n. [F. magicien. See , n.] 1. One skilled in magic; one who practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress; a conjurer.
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2. An entertainer who produces seemingly magical effects by clever illusions; most magicians admit that the craft is mere illusion, rather than a true supernatural art.
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magic lantern n. An early form of slide projector.
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magic spell n. A verbal formula considered to have magical force.
Syn. -- spell, incantation.
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magic trick n. An feat of illusion performed by an illusionist, which appears magical to naive observers.
Syn. -- conjuring trick, trick, magic, legerdemain, illusion, deception.
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{ Magilp (?), Magilph (?), } n. (Paint.) See .
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Maginot line prop. n. A line of fortifications built before World War II to protect France's eastern border.
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Magister (?), n. [L. See .] Master; sir; -- a title of the Middle Ages, given to a person in authority, or to one having a license from a university to teach philosophy and the liberal arts.
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Magisterial (?), a. [L. magisterius magisterial. See .] 1. Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in authority; having the manner of a magister; official; commanding; authoritative. Hence: Overbearing; dictatorial; dogmatic.
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When magisterial duties from his home
Her father called. Glover.
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We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our notions on any man. Sir T. Browne.
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Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment. L'Estrange.
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2. (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Pertaining to, produced by, or of the nature of, magistery. See , 2.
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Syn. -- Authoritative; stately; august; pompous; dignified; lofty; commanding; imperious; lordly; proud; haughty; domineering; despotic; dogmatical; arrogant. -- , , . One who is magisterial assumes the air of a master toward his pupils; one who is dogmatical lays down his positions in a tone of authority or dictation; one who is arrogant insults others by an undue assumption of superiority. Those who have long been teachers sometimes acquire, unconsciously, a manner which borders too much on the magisterial, and may be unjustly construed as dogmatical, or even arrogant.
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Magisteriality (?), n. Magisterialness; authoritativeness. [R.] Fuller.
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Magisterially (?), adv. In a magisterial manner.
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Magisterialness, n. The quality or state of being magisterial.
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Magistery (?), n. [L. magisterium the office of a chief, president, director, tutor. See .] 1. Mastery; powerful medical influence; renowned efficacy; a sovereign remedy. [Obs.] Holland.
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2. A magisterial injunction. [R.] Brougham.
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3. (Chem.) A precipitate; a fine substance deposited by precipitation; -- applied in old chemistry to certain white precipitates from metallic solutions; as, magistery of bismuth. Ure.
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Magistracy (?), n.; pl. Magistracies (#). [From .] 1. The office or dignity of a magistrate. Blackstone.
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2. The collective body of magistrates.
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Magistral (?), a. [L. magistralis: cf. F. magistral. See .] 1. Pertaining to a master; magisterial; authoritative; dogmatic.
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2. Commanded or prescribed by a magister, esp. by a doctor; hence, effectual; sovereign; as, a magistral sirup. “Some magistral opiate.” Bacon.
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3. (Pharmacy) Formulated extemporaneously, or for a special case; -- opposed to officinal, and said of prescriptions and medicines. Dunglison.
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Coloq. Magistral line (Fort.), the guiding line, or outline, by which the form of the work is determined. It is usually the crest line of the parapet in fieldworks, or the top line of the escarp in permanent fortifications.
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Magistral, n. 1. (Med.) A sovereign medicine or remedy. [Obs.] Burton.
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2. (Fort.) A magistral line.
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3. (Metal.) Powdered copper pyrites used in the amalgamation of ores of silver, as at the Spanish mines of Mexico and South America.
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Magistrality (?), n.; pl. -ties (�). Magisterialness; arbitrary dogmatism. Bacon.
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Magistrally (?), adv. In a magistral manner. Abp. Bramhall.
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Magistrate (?), n. [L. magistratus, fr. magister master: cf. F. magistrat. See .] A person clothed with power as a public civil officer; a public civil officer invested with the executive government, or some branch of it. “All Christian rulers and magistrates.” Book of Com. Prayer.
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Of magistrates some also are supreme, in whom the sovereign power of the state resides; others are subordinate. Blackstone.
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{ Magistratic (?), Magistratical (?), } a. Of, pertaining to, or proceeding from, a magistrate; having the authority of a magistrate. Jer. Taylor.
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Magistrature (?), n. [Cf. F. magistrature.] Magistracy. [Obs.]
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Magma (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. �, fr. � to squeeze, knead.] 1. Any crude mixture of mineral or organic matters in the state of a thin paste. Ure.
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2. (Med.) (a) A thick residuum obtained from certain substances after the fluid parts are expressed from them; the grounds which remain after treating a substance with any menstruum, as water or alcohol. (b) A salve or confection of thick consistency. Dunglison.
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