Meteoroid - Metosteon

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Meteoroid (mēt�ẽroid), n. [Meteor + -oid.] (Astron.) A small body moving through space, or revolving about the sun, which on entering the earth's atmosphere would be deflagrated and appear as a meteor.
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These bodies [small, solid bodies] before they come into the air, I call meteoroids. H. A. Newton.
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Meteoroidal (?), a. Of or pertaining to a meteoroid or to meteoroids.
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Meteorolite (?; 277), n. [Meteor + -lite : cf. F. météorolithe.] A meteoric stone; an aërolite; a meteorite.
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{ Meteorologic (?), Meteorological (?), } a. [Gr. �: cf. F. météorologique.] Of or pertaining to the atmosphere and its phenomena, or to meteorology.
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Coloq. Meteorological table , Coloq. Meteorological register , a table or register exhibiting the state of the air and its temperature, weight, dryness, moisture, motion, etc.
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Meteorologist (?), n. [Cf. F. météorologiste.] A person skilled in meteorology.
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Meteorology (?), n. [Gr. �; � + logos discourse: cf. F. météorologie. See .] The science which treats of the atmosphere and its phenomena, particularly of its variations of heat and moisture, of its winds, storms, etc.
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Meteoromancy (?), n. [Meteor + -mancy : cf. F. météoromancie.] A species of divination by atmospheric phenomena, chiefly by thunder and lightning, which was held in high estimation by the Romans.
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Meteorometer (?), n. [Meteor + -meter.] An apparatus which transmits automatically to a central station atmospheric conditions as marked by the anemometer, barometer, thermometer, etc.
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Meteoroscope (?; 277), n. [Gr. �, fr. � observing the heavenly bodies; � + � to view: cf. F. météoroscope. See .] (Astron.) (a) An astrolabe; a planisphere. [Obs.] (b) An instrument for measuring the position, length, and direction, of the apparent path of a shooting star.
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Meteorous (? or ?), a. [See .] Of the nature or appearance of a meteor.
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-meter (?). [L. metrum measure, or the allied Gr. �. See rhythm.] A suffix denoting that by which anything is measured; as, barometer, chronometer, dynamometer.
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Meter (?), n. [From to measure.] 1. One who, or that which, metes or measures. See .
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2. An instrument for measuring, and usually for recording automatically, the quantity measured.
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Coloq. Dry meter , a gas meter having measuring chambers, with flexible walls, which expand and contract like bellows and measure the gas by filling and emptying. -- Coloq. Wet meter , a gas meter in which the revolution of a chambered drum in water measures the gas passing through it.
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Meter, n. A line above or below a hanging net, to which the net is attached in order to strengthen it.
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{ Meter, Metre } (?), n. [OE. metre, F. mètre, L. metrum, fr. Gr. �; akin to Skr. mā to measure. See to measure.] 1. Rhythmical arrangement of syllables or words into verses, stanzas, strophes, etc.; poetical measure, depending on number, quantity, and accent of syllables; rhythm; measure; verse; also, any specific rhythmical arrangements; as, the Horatian meters; a dactylic meter.
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The only strict antithesis to prose is meter. Wordsworth.
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2. A poem. [Obs.] Robynson (More's Utopia).
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3. A measure of length, equal to 39.37 English inches, the standard of linear measure in the metric system of weights and measures. It was intended to be, and is very nearly, the ten millionth part of the distance from the equator to the north pole, as ascertained by actual measurement of an arc of a meridian. See Metric system, under .
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Coloq. Common meter (Hymnol.), four iambic verses, or lines, making a stanza, the first and third having each four feet, and the second and fourth each three feet; -- usually indicated by the initials C. M. -- Coloq. Long meter (Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines of four feet each, four verses usually making a stanza; -- commonly indicated by the initials L. M. -- Coloq. Short meter (Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines, the first, second, and fourth having each three feet, and the third four feet. The stanza usually consists of four lines, but is sometimes doubled. Short meter is indicated by the initials S. M.
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Meterage (?), n. [See 1st .] The act of measuring, or the cost of measuring.
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Metergram (?), n. (Mech.) A measure of energy or work done; the power exerted in raising one gram through the distance of one meter against gravitation; 100 gram-centimeters.
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Metewand (?), n. [Mete to measure + wand.] A measuring rod. Ascham.
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Meteyard (?), n. [AS. metgeard. See to measure, and stick.] A yard, staff, or rod, used as a measure. [Obs.] Shak.
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Meth (?), n. See . [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Methæmoglobin (? or ?), n. [Pref. met- + hæmoglobin.] (Physiol. Chem.) A stable crystalline compound obtained by the decomposition of hemoglobin. It is found in old blood stains.
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methadon, methadone n. a narcotic drug similar to morphine but less habit-forming; used in treating heroin addiction.
Syn. -- methadone hydrochloride.
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Methal (?), n. [Myristic + ether + alcohol.] (Chem.) A white waxy substance, found in small quantities in spermaceti as an ethereal salt of several fatty acids, and regarded as an alcohol of the methane series.
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methanal n. (Chem.) Same as .
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Methane (?), n. [See .] (Chem.) A light, colorless, gaseous, inflammable hydrocarbon, CH4; marsh gas. It is the simplest of the aliphatic hydrocarbons. See Marsh gas, under .
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Coloq. Methane series (Chem.), a series of saturated hydrocarbons, of which methane is the first member and type, and (because of their general chemical inertness and indifference) called also the paraffin (little affinity) series. The lightest members are gases, as methane, ethane; intermediate members are liquids, as hexane, heptane, etc. (found in benzine, kerosene, etc.); while the highest members are white, waxy, or fatty solids, as paraffin proper.
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methanogen n. A type of archaebacteria found in anaerobic environments such as animal intestinal tracts or sediments or sewage, and capable of producing methane; a source of natural gas.
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methanol n. (Chem.) The simplest alcohol of the paraffin series, CH3.OH; methyl alcohol. Called also wood alcohol. It is used as an antifreeze solvent, as a fuel, and as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol.
Syn. -- methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood spirit.
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Methanometer (?), n. [Methane + -meter.] An instrument, resembling a eudiometer, to detect the presence and amount of methane, as in coal mines.
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Metheglin (?), n. [W. meddyglyn; medd mead + llyn liquor, juice. See a drink.] A fermented beverage made of honey and water; mead. Gay.
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Methene (?), n. [Methyl + ethylene.] (Chem.) See .
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Methenyl (?), n. [Methene + -yl.] (Chem.) The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical CH, regarded as an essential residue of certain organic compounds.
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Methide (? or ?), n. [See .] (Chem.) A binary compound of methyl with some element; as, aluminium methide, Al2(CH3)6.
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Methinks (?), v. impers. [imp. Methought (?).] [AS. þyncan to seem, mē þynceð, mē þūhte, OE. me thinketh, me thoughte; akin to G. dünken to seem, denken to think, and E. think. See , and .] It seems to me; I think. See . [R., except in poetry.]
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In all ages poets have been had in special reputation, and, methinks, not without great cause. Spenser.
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Methionate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of methionic acid.
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Methionic (?), a. [Methyl + thionic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sulphonic (thionic) acid derivative of methane, obtained as a stable white crystalline substance, CH2.(SO3H)2, which forms well defined salts.
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Method (?), n. [F. méthode, L. methodus, fr. Gr. meqodos method, investigation following after; meta after + odos way.] 1. An orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing anything; hence, manner; way; mode; as, a method of teaching languages; a method of improving the mind. Addison.
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2. Orderly arrangement, elucidation, development, or classification; clear and lucid exhibition; systematic arrangement peculiar to an individual.
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Though this be madness, yet there's method in it. Shak.
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All method is a rational progress, a progress toward an end. Sir W. Hamilton.
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3. (Nat. Hist.) Classification; a mode or system of classifying natural objects according to certain common characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the method of Ray; the Linnæan method.
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4. A technique used in acting in which the actor tries to identify with the individual personality of the specific character being portrayed, so as to provide a realistic rendering of the character's role. Also called the Method, method acting, the Stanislavsky Method or Stanislavsky System.
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Syn. -- Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode; course; process; means. -- , , . Method implies arrangement; mode, mere action or existence. Method is a way of reaching a given end by a series of acts which tend to secure it; mode relates to a single action, or to the form which a series of acts, viewed as a whole, exhibits. Manner is literally the handling of a thing, and has a wider sense, embracing both method and mode. An instructor may adopt a good method of teaching to write; the scholar may acquire a bad mode of holding his pen; the manner in which he is corrected will greatly affect his success or failure.
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{ Methodic (?), Methodical (?), } a. [L. methodicus, Gr. �: cf. F. méthodique.] 1. Arranged with regard to method; disposed in a suitable manner, or in a manner to illustrate a subject, or to facilitate practical observation; well-ordered; as, the methodical arrangement of arguments; a methodical treatise. [wns=2] “Methodical regularity.” Addison.
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2. Proceeding with regard to method; characterized by method or orderliness; systematic; as, a methodical investigation. [wns=1] “Aristotle, strict, methodic, and orderly.” Harris.
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3. Of or pertaining to the ancient school of physicians called methodists. Johnson.
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-- Methodically, adv. -- Methodicalness, n.
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Methodios (?), n. The art and principles of method.
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Methodism (?), n. (Eccl.) The system of doctrines, polity, and worship, of the sect called Methodists. Bp. Warburton.
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Methodist (?), n. [Cf. F. méthodiste. See .] 1. One who observes method. [Obs.]
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2. One of an ancient school of physicians who rejected observation and founded their practice on reasoning and theory. Sir W. Hamilton.
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3. (Theol.) One of a sect of Christians, the outgrowth of a small association called the “Holy Club,” formed at Oxford University, a. d. 1729, of which the most conspicuous members were John Wesley and his brother Charles Wesley; -- originally so called from the methodical strictness of members of the club in all religious duties.
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4. A person of strict piety; one who lives in the exact observance of religious duties; -- sometimes so called in contempt or ridicule.
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Methodist, a. Of or pertaining to the sect of Methodists; as, Methodist hymns; a Methodist elder.
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{ Methodistic (?), Methodistical (?), } a. Of or pertaining to methodists, or to the Methodists. -- Methodistically, adv.
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Methodization (?), n. The act or process of methodizing, or the state of being methodized.
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Methodize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Methodized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Methodizing (?).] To reduce to method; to dispose in due order; to arrange in a convenient manner; as, to methodize one's work or thoughts. Spectator.
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Methodizer (?), n. One who methodizes.
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Methodological (?), a. Of or pertaining to methodology.
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Methodology (?), n. [Gr. � method + -logy.] The science of method or arrangement; a treatise on method. Coleridge.
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Methol (?), n. [Gr. � wine + -ol.] (Chem.) An earlier technical name of methyl alcohol or wood spirit, now called methanol; also, by extension, the class name of any of the series of alcohols of the methane series of which methol proper is the type. See Methyl alcohol, under .
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Methought (?), imp. of .
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Methoxyl (?), n. [Methyl + hydroxyl.] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical, CH3O, analogous to hydroxyl.
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Methyl (?), n. [See .] (Chem.) A univalent hydrocarbon radical, CH3-, not existing alone but regarded as an essential residue of methane, and appearing as a component part of many derivatives; as, methyl alcohol, methyl ether, methyl amine, etc. [Formerly written also methule, methyle, etc.]
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Coloq. Methyl alcohol (Chem.), a light, volatile, inflammable liquid, CH3.OH, obtained by the distillation of wood, and hence called wood alcohol or wood spirit; tecnically referred to as methanol; -- called also methol, carbinol, etc. -- Coloq. Methyl amine (Chem.), a colorless, inflammable, alkaline gas, CH3.NH2, having an ammoniacal, fishy odor. It is produced artificially, and also occurs naturally in herring brine and other fishy products. It is regarded as ammonia in which a third of its hydrogen is replaced by methyl, and is a type of the class of substituted ammonias. -- Coloq. Methyl ether (Chem.), a light, volatile ether CH3.O.CH3, obtained by the etherification of methyl alcohol; -- called also methyl oxide or dimethyl ether. -- Coloq. Methyl green . (Chem.) See under , n. -- Coloq. Methyl orange . (Chem.) See . -- Coloq. Methyl violet (Chem.), an artificial dye, consisting of certain methyl halogen derivatives of rosaniline.
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Methylal (?), n. [Methylene + alcohol.] (Chem.) A light, volatile liquid, H2C(OCH3)2, regarded as a complex ether, and having a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the partial oxidation of methyl alcohol. Called also formal.
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Methylamine (? or ?), n. (Chem.) See Methyl amine, under .
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Methylate (?), n. [Methyl + alcoholate.] (Chem.) An alcoholate of methyl alcohol in which the hydroxyl hydrogen is replaced by a metal, after the analogy of a hydrate; as, sodium methylate, CH3ONa.
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Methylate (?), v. t. To impregnate or mix with methyl or methyl alcohol.
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Methylated (?), a. (Chem.) Impregnated with, or containing, methyl alcohol or wood spirit; as, methylated spirits.
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Methylene (?), n. [F. méthylène, from Gr. � wine + � wood; -- a word coined to correspond to the name wood spirit.] (Chem.) A divalent hydrocarbon radical, -CH2-, not known in the free state, but regarded as an essential residue and component of certain derivatives of methane; as, methylene bromide, CH2Br2; -- formerly called also methene.
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Coloq. Methylene blue (Chem.), an artificial dyestuff consisting of a complex sulphur derivative of diphenyl amine; -- called also pure blue.
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methylenedioxymethamphetamine n. a drug designed to have the effects of amphetamines but to avoid the drug laws, but now a controlled substance. Called also MDMA.
Syn. -- MDMA, Adam, ecstasy.
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Methylic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, methyl; specifically, designating methyl alcohol. See under .
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Methysticin (?), n. (Chem.) A white, silky, crystalline substance extracted from the thick rootstock of a species of pepper (Piper methysticum) of the South Sea Islands; -- called also kanakin.
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Metic (? or ?; 277), n. [Gr. �, prop., changing one's abode; �, indicating change + � house, abode: cf. L. metoecus, F. métèque.] (Gr. Antiq.) A sojourner; an immigrant; an alien resident in a Grecian city, but not a citizen. Mitford.
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The whole force of Athens, metics as well as citizens, and all the strangers who were then in the city. Jowett (Thucyd. ).
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meticulosity n. strict attention to minute details; the quality of being meticulous.
Syn. -- meticulousness, punctiliousness, scrupulousness.
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Meticulous (?), a. [L. meticulosus, fr. metus fear: cf. F. méticuleux.] Timid; fearful. [archaic]
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2. Taking great care to get every detail correct; working thoroughly and with precision; as, meticulous workmanship.
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-- Meticulously, adv.
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Métier (?), n. [F.] 1. Calling; vocation; business; trade.

Not only is it the business of no one to preach the truth but it is the métier of many to conceal it. A. R. Colquhoun.
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2. the field or activity at which one excels; one's forte.
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{ Métif (?), n. m. Métive (?), n. f. }[F.] See .
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{ Métis (?), n. m. Métisse (?), n. f. }[F.; akin to Sp. mestizo. See .] 1. The offspring of a white person and an American Indian.
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2. The offspring of a white person and a quadroon; an octoroon. [Local, U. S.] Bartlett.
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Metoche (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � a sharing, fr. � to share in; � with + � to have.] (Arch.) (a) The space between two dentils. (b) The space between two triglyphs.
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Metol (?), n. [G.; trade name, fr. meta- + kresol cresol.] A whitish soluble powder used as a developer in photography. Chemically, it is the sulphate of methyl-p-amino-m-cresol.
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Metonic (?), a. [Cf. F. métonique.] Pertaining to, or discovered by, Meton, the Athenian.
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Coloq. Metonic year or Coloq. Metonic cycle . (Astron.) See under .
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{ Metonymic (?), Metonymical (?), } a. [See .] Used by way of metonymy; using the name of one thing for that of another with which it is closely associated. -- Metonymically, adv.
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Metonymy (m�tŏnĭm�; 277), n. [L. metonymia, Gr. metwnymia; meta, indicating change + 'onyma , for 'onoma a name: cf. F. métonymie. See .] (Rhet.) A trope in which one word is put for another that suggests it; as, we say, a man keeps a good table instead of good provisions; we read Virgil, that is, his poems; a man has a warm heart, that is, warm affections; a city dweller has no wheels, that is, no automobile.
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Metope (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. �; meta with, between + � opening, hole, the hole in the frieze between the beam ends.] 1. (Arch.) The space between two triglyphs of the Doric frieze, which, among the ancients, was often adorned with carved work. See Illust. of .
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2. (Zoöl.) The face of a crab.
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☞ In the Parthenon, groups of centaurs and heroes in high relief occupy the metopes.
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Metopic (?), a. [Gr. � the forehead.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the forehead or frontal bones; frontal; as, the metopic suture.
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Metopomancy (?), n. [Gr. � the forehead + -mancy.] Fortune telling by physiognomy. [R.] Urquhart.
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{ Metoposcopic (?), Metoposcopical (?), } a. Of or relating to metoposcopy.
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Metoposcopist (?), n. One versed in metoposcopy.
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Metoposcopy (?), n. [Gr. � observing the forehead; � the forehead + � to view: cf. F. métoposcopie.] The study of physiognomy; the art of discovering the character of persons by their features, or the lines of the face.
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Metosteon (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � after + � bone.] (Anat.) The postero-lateral ossification in the sternum of birds; also, the part resulting from such ossification.
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