Medino - Meet

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Medino (m�dēn�), n. Same as .
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Mediocral (?), a. Mediocre. [R.]
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mediocre (mēdĭōkẽr), a. [F. médiocre, L. mediocris, fr. medius middle. See .] Of a middle quality; of but a moderate or low degree of excellence; indifferent; ordinary. “ A very mediocre poet.” Pope.
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Mediocre, n. 1. A mediocre person; a mediocrity. [R.]
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2. A young monk who was excused from performing a portion of a monk's duties. Shipley.
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Mediocrist (?), n. A mediocre person. [R.]
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Mediocrity (?), n. [F. médiocrité, L. mediocritas.]
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1. The quality of being mediocre; a middle state or degree; a moderate degree or rate. “A mediocrity of success.” Bacon.
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2. Moderation; temperance. [Obs.] Hooker.
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3. A mediocre person; -- used disparagingly.
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Mediostapedial (?), a. [L. medius middle + E. stapedial.] (Anat.) Pertaining to that part of the columella of the ear which, in some animals, connects the stapes with the other parts of the columella. -- n. The mediostapedial part of the columella.
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Medioxumous (?), a. [L. medioxumus middlemost.] Intermediate. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
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Meditance (?), n. Meditation. [Obs.]
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Meditate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meditated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Meditating.] [L. meditatus, p. p. of meditari to meditate; cf. Gr. � to learn, E. mind.] To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell on anything in thought; to think seriously; to muse; to cogitate; to reflect. Jer. Taylor.
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In his law doth he meditate day and night. Ps. i. 2.
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Meditate, v. t. 1. To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study. “Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things.” Ecclus. xiv. 20.
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2. To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in the mind; as, to meditate a war.
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I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a state of undisturbed repose. Washington.
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Syn. -- To consider; ponder; weigh; revolve; study. -- To , , . We meditate a design when we are looking out or waiting for the means of its accomplishment; we contemplate it when the means are at hand, and our decision is nearly or quite made. To intend is stronger, implying that we have decided to act when an opportunity may offer. A general meditates an attack upon the enemy; he contemplates or intends undertaking it at the earliest convenient season.
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Meditation (?), n. [OE. meditacioun, F. méditation, fr. L. meditatio.] 1. The act of meditating; close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation; reflection; musing.
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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Ps. xix. 14.
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2. Thought; -- without regard to kind. [Obs.]
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With wings as swift
As meditation or the thoughts of love. Shak.
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Meditatist, n. One who is given to meditation.
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Meditative (?), a. [L. meditativus: cf. F. méditatif.] Disposed to meditate, or to meditation; as, a meditative man; a meditative mood. -- Meditatively, adv. -- Meditativeness, n.
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Mediterranean (?), a. [L. mediterraneus; medius middle + terra land. See , and .]
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1. Inclosed, or nearly inclosed, with land; as, the Mediterranean Sea, between Europe and Africa.
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2. Inland; remote from the ocean. [Obs.]
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Cities, as well mediterranean as maritime. Holland.
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3. Of, pertaining to, or located in the Mediterranean Sea or on the adjacent lands; as, Mediterranean trade; a Mediterranean voyage; a Mediterranean plant.
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Mediterranean fruit fly (?), n. A small two-winged fly (Ceratitis capitata), a native of the Mediterranean countries but now widely distributed in warm regions, which can cause great damage to citrus and other succulent fruit crops when present in large numbers. It is black and white and irregularly banded. It lays eggs in ripening oranges, peaches, and other fruits; when the eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) inside the fruit, they cause the fruit to decay and fall, and make the fruit unsaleable. It is also popularly called the medfly. The possibility of infestation by this and other crop pests has caused some states such as California, where fruit is a major export, to ban the importation of fruit from other regions. Outbreaks of infestation with the medfly have caused California to mobilize major eradication campaigns and have been the subject of political faultfinding. The eradication tactic, of releasing sterile males to break the reproductive cycle, has been used to deal with outbreaks of the medfly.
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Mediterraneous (?), a. Inland. Sir T. Browne.
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Medium (?), n.; pl. L. Media (#), E. Mediums (#). [L. medium the middle, fr. medius middle. See , and cf. .] 1. That which lies in the middle, or between other things; intervening body or quantity. Hence, specifically: (a) Middle place or degree; mean.
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The just medium . . . lies between pride and abjection. L'Estrange.
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(b) (Math.) See . (c) (Logic) The mean or middle term of a syllogism; that by which the extremes are brought into connection.
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2. A substance through which an effect is transmitted from one thing to another; as, air is the common medium of sound. Hence: The condition upon which any event or action occurs; necessary means of motion or action; that through or by which anything is accomplished, conveyed, or carried on; specifically, in animal magnetism, spiritualism, etc., a person through whom the action of another being is said to be manifested and transmitted.
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Whether any other liquors, being made mediums, cause a diversity of sound from water, it may be tried. Bacon.
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I must bring together
All these extremes; and must remove all mediums. Denham.
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3. An average. [R.]
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A medium of six years of war, and six years of peace. Burke.
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4. A trade name for printing and writing paper of certain sizes. See .
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5. (Paint.) The liquid vehicle with which dry colors are ground and prepared for application.
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6. (Microbiology) A source of nutrients in which a microorganism is placed to permit its growth, cause it to produce substances, or observe its activity under defined conditions; also called culture medium or growth medium. The medium is usually a solution of nutrients in water, or a similar solution solidified with gelatin or agar.
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7. A means of transmission of news, advertising, or other messages from an information source to the public, also called a news medium, such as a newspaper or radio; used mostly in the plural form, i. e. news media or media. See 1st {2}.
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Coloq. Circulating medium , a current medium of exchange, whether coin, bank notes, or government notes. -- Coloq. Ethereal medium (Physics), the ether. -- Coloq. Medium of exchange , that which is used for effecting an exchange of commodities -- money or current representatives of money.
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Medium, a. Having a middle position or degree; mean; intermediate; medial; as, a horse of medium size; a decoction of medium strength.
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Medium-sized (?), a. Having a medium size; as, a medium-sized man.
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Medius (?), n.; pl. Medii (#). [NL., fr. L. medius middle. See .] (Anat.) The third or middle finger; the third digit, or that which corresponds to it.
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{ Medjidie, Medjidieh } (?), n. [Turk. majīdieh (prop. fem. a., fr. Ar. mejīd glorious); -- so called after the sultan Abdul Mejid, lit., “servant of the Glorious One,” i.e., of God.] 1. (a) A silver coin of Turkey formerly rated at twenty, but since 1880 at nineteen, piasters (about 83 cents). (b) A gold coin of Turkey equal (in ) to one hundred piastres ($4.396 or 18s. 3/4d.); a lira, or Turkish pound.
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2. A Turkish honorary order established in 1851 by Abdul-Mejid, having as its badge a medallion surrounded by seven silver rays and crescents. It is often conferred on foreigners.
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Medlar (?), n. [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F. néflier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. �, �. Cf. .] A tree of the genus Mespilus (Mespilus Germanica); also, the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun to decay.
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Coloq. Japan medlar (Bot.), the loquat. See . -- Coloq. Neapolitan medlar (Bot.), a kind of thorn tree (Cratægus Azarolus); also, its fruit.
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Medle (?), v. t. [See .] To mix; to mingle; to meddle. [Written also medly.] [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Medley (?), n.; pl. Medleys (#). [OE. medlee, OF. meslée, medlée, mellée, F. mêlée. See , and cf. , .] 1. A mixture; a mingled and confused mass of ingredients, usually inharmonious; a jumble; a hodgepodge; -- often used contemptuously.
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This medley of philosophy and war. Addison.
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Love is a medley of endearments, jars,
Suspicions, reconcilements, wars. W. Walsh.
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2. The confusion of a hand to hand battle; a brisk, hand to hand engagement; a mêlée. [Obs.] Holland.
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3. (Mus.) A composition of passages detached from several different compositions; a potpourri.
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☞ Medley is usually applied to vocal, potpourri to instrumental, compositions.
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4. A cloth of mixed colors. Fuller.
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Medley, a. 1. Mixed; of mixed material or color. [Obs.] “A medlé coat.” Chaucer.
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2. Mingled; confused. Dryden.
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Medly (?), v. t. See . Johnson.
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Médoc (?), n. [Cf. .] A class of claret wines, including several varieties, from the district of Médoc in the department of Gironde.
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Medregal (?), n. (Zoöl.) See , 3.
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Medrick (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.) A species of gull or tern. [Prov.] Lowell.
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Medulla (?), n. [L.] 1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] Milton.
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2. (Anat.) The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance, of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata.
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3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or branch of a plant; pith.
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4. See medulla oblongata.
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Coloq. Medulla oblongata . [L., oblong medulla] (Anat.), the posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation, swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital part of the brain; -- called also bulb of the spinal cord. See .
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Medullar (?), a. See .
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Medullary (?), a. [L. medullaris, fr. medulla marrow: cf. F. médullaire.] 1. (Anat.) (a) Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or medulla. (b) Pertaining to the medula oblongata.
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2. (Bot.) Filled with spongy pith; pithy.
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Coloq. Medullary groove (Anat.), a groove, in the epiblast of the vertebrate blastoderm, the edges of which unite, making a tube (the medullary canal) from which the brain and spinal cord are developed. -- Coloq. Medullary rays (Bot.), the rays of cellular tissue seen in a transverse section of exogenous wood, which pass from the pith to the bark. -- Coloq. Medullary sheath (Anat.), the layer of white semifluid substance (myelin), between the primitive sheath and axis cylinder of a medullated nerve fiber.
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Medullated (?), a. (Anat.) Furnished with a medulla or marrow, or with a medullary sheath; as, a medullated nerve fiber.
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Medullin (?), n. [Cf. F. médulline.] (Bot. Chem.) A variety of lignin or cellulose found in the medulla, or pith, of certain plants. Cf. , and .
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Medusa (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. �.] 1. (Class. Myth.) The Gorgon; or one of the Gorgons whose hair was changed into serpents, after which all who looked upon her were turned into stone.
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2. [pl. Medusae (�).] (Zoöl.) Any free swimming acaleph; a jellyfish.
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☞ The larger medusæ belong to the Discophora, and are sometimes called covered-eyed medusæ; others, known as naked-eyed medusæ, belong to the Hydroidea, and are usually developed by budding from hydroids. See , , and .
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Coloq. Medusa bud (Zoöl.), one of the buds of a hydroid, destined to develop into a gonophore or medusa. See , and . -- Coloq. Medusa's head . (a) (Zoöl.) An astrophyton. (b) (Astron.) A cluster of stars in the constellation Perseus. It contains the bright star Algol.
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Medusian (?), n. (Zoöl.) A medusa.
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Medusiform (?), a. [Medusa + -form.] (Zoöl.) Resembling a medusa in shape or structure.
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Medusoid (?), a. [Medusa + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Like a medusa; having the fundamental structure of a medusa, but without a locomotive disk; -- said of the sessile gonophores of hydroids. -- n. A sessile gonophore. See Illust. under .
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Meech (mēch), v. i. See . [Obs. or Colloq.]
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Meed (mēd), n. [OE. mede, AS. mēd, meord; akin to OS. mēda, OHG. miata, mieta, G. miethe hire, Goth. mizdō reward, Bohem. & Russ. mzda, Gr. misqos, Skr. mīdha. √276.] 1. That which is bestowed or rendered in consideration of merit; reward; recompense.
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A rosy garland was the victor's meed. Spenser.
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2. Merit or desert; worth.
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My meed hath got me fame. Shak.
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3. A gift; also, a bride. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Meed, v. t. 1. To reward; to repay. [Obs.] Waytt.
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2. To deserve; to merit. [Obs.] Heywood.
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Meedful (?), a. Worthy of meed, reward, or recompense; meritorious. “Meedful works.” Wiclif.
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Meedfully, adv. According to merit; suitably.
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Meek (mēk), a. [Compar. Meeker (mēkẽr); superl. Meekest.] [OE. mek, meoc; akin to Icel. mjūkr mild, soft, Sw. mjuk, Dan. myg, D. muik, Goth. mukamōdei gentleness.] 1. Mild of temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive.
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Now the man Moses was very meek. Num. xii. 3.
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2. Evincing mildness of temper, or patience; characterized by mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a meek face. “Her meek prayer.” Chaucer.
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Syn. -- Gentle; mild; soft; yielding; pacific; unassuming; humble. See .
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{ Meek, Meeken (-'n) }, v. t. To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Meekly, adv. In a meek manner. Spenser.
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Meekness, n. The quality or state of being meek.
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Meer (mēr), a. Simple; unmixed. See , a. [Obs.]
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Meer, n. See , a lake.
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Meer, n. A boundary. See .
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Meerkat (mērkăt), n. [D.] (Zoöl.) A South African carnivore (Suricata suricata, formerly Cynictis penicillata), allied to the ichneumons, having a lemurlike face and only four toes; called also yellow mongoose and suricate. [Also spelled mierkat.]
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While his compatrioits scuffle about in the sand for delicious scorpions or fat, tasty mice, one meerkat stands alone, bolt upright on an exposed perch, scanning for hawks with dark eyes wide, ready to call out at the first sign of danger. Like other such guards in the animal kingdom, these endearingly vulnerable meerkat sentinels have long impressed biologists as true altruists -- creatures willing to forgo food and brave danger to protect others.
Now a study in the current Science suggests that these beasts may not be such adorable heroes after all. Researchers have discovered that meerkats abandon their hunting to act as guards only when their bellies are good and full. And they appear to do so, not as an act of noble daring, but because by being the first to see a predator, they can be sure of being the first down a hole and out of harm's way. Standing guard, researchers concluded, may be the safest thing to do once a meerkat has had enough to eat.
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Even the adorable meerkat may yet redeem itself as a bit of an altruist. Although being a sentinel may itself not entail great risk, it is hard to imagine a selfish reason for their giving a shout of warning before dashing for cover. . . . Carol Kaesuk Yoon (N. Y. Times, June 8, 1999 p. F3)
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Meerschaum (mērsh�m; 277), n. [G., lit., sea foam; meer sea + schaum foam; but it perh. is a corruption of the Tartaric name myrsen. Cf. a lake, and .] 1. (Min.) A fine white claylike mineral, soft, and light enough when in dry masses to float in water. It is a hydrous silicate of magnesia, and is obtained chiefly in Asia Minor. It is manufacturd into tobacco pipes, cigar holders, etc. Also called sepiolite.
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2. A tobacco pipe made of this mineral; a meerschaum pipe.
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Meet (mēt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Met (mĕt); p. pr. & vb. n. Meeting.] [OE. meten, AS. mētan, fr. mōt, gemōt, a meeting; akin to OS. mōtian to meet, Icel. mæta, Goth. gamōtjan. See , v. t.] 1. To join, or come in contact with; esp., to come in contact with by approach from an opposite direction; to come upon or against, front to front, as distinguished from contact by following and overtaking.
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2. To come in collision with; to confront in conflict; to encounter hostilely; as, they met the enemy and defeated them; the ship met opposing winds and currents.
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3. To come into the presence of without contact; to come close to; to intercept; to come within the perception, influence, or recognition of; as, to meet a train at a junction; to meet carriages or persons in the street; to meet friends at a party; sweet sounds met the ear.
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His daughter came out to meet him. Judg. xi. 34.
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4. To perceive; to come to a knowledge of; to have personal acquaintance with; to experience; to suffer; as, the eye met a horrid sight; he met his fate.
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Of vice or virtue, whether blest or curst,
Which meets contempt, or which compassion first. Pope.
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5. To come up to; to be even with; to equal; to match; to satisfy; to ansver; as, to meet one's expectations; the supply meets the demand.
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Coloq. To meet half way , literally, to go half the distance between in order to meet (one); hence, figuratively, to yield or concede half of the difference in order to effect a compromise or reconciliation with.
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Meet, v. t. 1. To come together by mutual approach; esp., to come in contact, or into proximity, by approach from opposite directions; to join; to come face to face; to come in close relationship; as, we met in the street; two lines meet so as to form an angle.
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O, when meet now
Such pairs in love and mutual honor joined ! Milton.
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2. To come together with hostile purpose; to have an encounter or conflict.
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Weapons more violent, when next we meet,
May serve to better us and worse our foes. Milton.
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3. To assemble together; to congregate; as, Congress meets on the first Monday of December.
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They . . . appointed a day to meet together. 2. Macc. xiv. 21.
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4. To come together by mutual concessions; hence, to agree; to harmonize; to unite.
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Coloq. To meet with . (a) To light upon; to find; to come to; -- often with the sense of unexpectedness.
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We met with many things worthy of observation. Bacon.
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(b) To join; to unite in company. Shak. (c) To suffer unexpectedly; as, to meet with a fall; to meet with a loss. (d) To encounter; to be subjected to.
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Prepare to meet with more than brutal fury
From the fierce prince. Rowe.
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(e) To obviate. [Obs.] Bacon.
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Meet, n. An assembling together; esp., the assembling of huntsmen for the hunt; also, the persons who so assemble, and the place of meeting.
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Meet, a. [OE. mete fitting, moderate, scanty, AS. mǣte moderate; akin to gemet fit, meet, metan to mete, and G. mässig moderate, gemäss fitting. See .] Suitable; fit; proper; appropriate; qualified; convenient.
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It was meet that we should make merry. Luke xv. 32.
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Coloq. To be meet with , to be even with; to be equal to. [Obs.]
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