Musk - Mutage

Prev Next

Musk (mŭsk), v. t. To perfume with musk.
[ Webster]

Muskadel (mŭskȧdĕl), n. See .
[ Webster]

Muskat (mŭskăt), n. See .
[ Webster]

Muskellunge (?), n. [From the Amer. Indian name.] (Zoöl.) A large American pike (Esox masquinongy formerly Esox nobilior) found in the Great Lakes, and other Northern lakes, and in the St. Lawrence River. It is valued as a food fish. [Written also maskallonge, maskalonge, maskinonge, muskallonge, muskellonge, and muskelunjeh.]
[ Webster]

Musket (?), n. [F. mousquet, It. moschetto, formerly, a kind of hawk; cf. OF. mousket, moschet, a kind of hawk falcon, F. mouchet, prop., a little fly (the hawk prob. being named from its size), fr. L. musca a fly. Cf. .] [Sometimes written also musquet.] 1. (Zoöl.) The male of the sparrow hawk.
[ Webster]

2. A species of firearm formerly carried by the infantry of an army. It was originally fired by means of a match, or matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances (including the flintlock, and finally the percussion lock) were successively substituted. This arm has been completely superseded by the rifle, and is now only of historical interest.
[ Webster +PJC]

Musketeer (?), n. [F. mousquetaire; cf. It. moschettiere.] A soldier armed with a musket.
[ Webster]

Musketo (?), n. See .
[ Webster]

Musketoon (?), n. [F. mousqueton; cf. It. moschettone.] 1. A short musket.
[ Webster]

2. One who is armed with such a musket.
[ Webster]

Musketry (?), n. [F. mousqueterie; cf. It. moschetteria.] 1. Muskets, collectively.
[ Webster]

2. The fire of muskets. Motley.
[ Webster]

Muskiness (?), n. The quality or state of being musky; the scent of musk.
[ Webster]

Muskmelon (?), n. [Musk + melon.] (Bot.) The fruit of a cucurbitaceous plant (Cucumis Melo) of the gourd family, having a peculiar aromatic flavor, and cultivated in many varieties, the principal sorts being the cantaloupe, of oval form and yellowish flesh, and the smaller nutmeg melon with greenish flesh. See Illust. of .
[ Webster]

Muskogees (?), n. pl.; sing. Muskogee (�). (Ethnol.) A powerful tribe of North American Indians that formerly occupied the region of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. They constituted a large part of the Creek confederacy. [Written also Muscogees.]
[ Webster]

Muskrat (?), n. 1. (Zoöl.) A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent (Ondatra zibethica formerly Fiber zibethicus). It resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the hind feet are webbed, and the ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called also musquash, musk beaver, ondatra, and sometimes water rat.
[ Webster +PJC]

2. (Zoöl.) The musk shrew.
[ Webster]

3. (Zoöl.) The desman.
[ Webster]

Muskwood (?), n. [So called from its fragrance.] (Bot.) (a) The wood of a West Indian tree of the Mahogany family (Moschoxylum Swartzii). (b) The wood of an Australian tree (Eurybia argophylla).
[ Webster]

Musky (?), a. Having an odor of musk, or somewhat the like. Milton.
[ Webster]

musky (?), n. The . [Colloq.]
[PJC]

Muslim (?), n. & a. See .
[ Webster]

Muslin (?), n. [F. mousseline; cf. It. mussolino, mussolo, Sp. muselina; all from Mussoul a city of Mesopotamia, Ar. Mausil, Syr. Mauzol, Muzol, Mosul, where it was first manufactured. Cf. a kind of cloth.] A thin cotton, white, dyed, or printed. The name is also applied to coarser and heavier cotton goods; as, shirting and sheeting muslins. In sheeting, muslin is not as finely woven as percale.
[ Webster +PJC]

Coloq. Muslin cambric . See . -- Coloq. Muslin delaine , a light woolen fabric for women's dresses. See . [Written also mousseline de laine.]
[ Webster]

Muslinet (?), n. [F. mousselinette.] A sort of coarse or light cotton cloth.
[ Webster]

Musmon (?), n. [L. musmo, musimo, a Sardinian animal; cf. Gr. moysmwn.] (Zoöl.) See .
[ Webster]

Musomania (?), n. See .
[ Webster]

Musquash (?), n. [American Indian name.] (Zoöl.) See .
[ Webster]

Coloq. Musquash root (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant (Cicuta maculata), having a poisonous root. See .
[ Webster]

Musquaw (?), n. [American Indian name.] (Zoöl.) The American black bear. See .
[ Webster]

Musquet (?), n. See .
[ Webster]

Musquito (?), n. (Zoöl.) See .
[ Webster]

{ Musrole, Musrol } (?), n. [F. muserolle, fr. muserau a muzzle, OF. musel. See .] The nose band of a horse's bridle.
[ Webster]

Muss (?), n. [Cf. OF. mousche a fly, also, the play called muss, fr. L. musca a fly.] A scramble, as when small objects are thrown down, to be taken by those who can seize them; a confused struggle. Shak.
[ Webster]

Muss, n. A state of confusion or disorder; -- prob. variant of mess, but influenced by muss, a scramble. [Colloq. U.S.]
[ Webster]

Muss, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mussed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mussing.] To disarrange, as clothing; to rumple; -- often used with up; as, the wind mussed up my hair. [Colloq. U.S.]
[ Webster]

Muss, n. [Cf. OE. mus a mouse. See .] A term of endearment. [Obs.] See . B. Jonson.
[ Webster]

Mussel (?), n. [See , 3.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of many species of marine bivalve shells of the genus Mytilus, and related genera, of the family Mytidæ. The common mussel (Mytilus edulis; see Illust. under ), and the larger, or horse, mussel (Modiola modiolus), inhabiting the shores both of Europe and America, are edible. The former is extensively used as food in Europe.
[ Webster]

2. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of Unio, and related fresh-water genera; -- called also river mussel. See , and .
[ Webster]

Coloq. Mussel digger (Zoöl.), the grayback whale. See Gray whale, under .
[ Webster]

Mussitation (?), n. [L. mussitatio suppression of the voice, fr. mussitare to be silent, to murmur.] A speaking in a low tone; mumbling. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Mussite (?), n. (Min.) A variety of pyroxene, from the Mussa Alp in Piedmont; diopside.
[ Webster]

Mussulman, n.; pl. Mussulmans (#). [Ar. muslimīn, pl. of muslim: cf. F. & Sp. musulman. See .] A Mohammedan; a Moslem.
[ Webster]

Mussulmanic (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or like, the Mussulmans, or their customs: Mohammedan.
[ Webster]

Mussulmanish (?), a. Mohammedan.
[ Webster]

Mussulmanism (?), n. Mohammedanism.
[ Webster]

Mussulmanly, adv. In the manner of Moslems.
[ Webster]

Mussy (?), a. [From 2d .] Disarranged; rumpled. [Colloq. U.S.]
[ Webster]

Must (mŭst), v. i. or auxiliary. [OE. moste, a pret. generally meaning, could, was free to, pres. mot, moot, AS. mōste, pret. mōt, pres.; akin to D. moetan to be obliged, OS. mōtan to be free, to be obliged, OHG. muozan, G. müssen to be obliged, Sw. måste must, Goth. gamōtan to have place, have room, to able; of unknown origin.] 1. To be obliged; to be necessitated; -- expressing either physical or moral necessity; as, a man must eat for nourishment; we must submit to the laws.
[ Webster]

2. To be morally required; to be necessary or essential to a certain quality, character, end, or result; as, he must reconsider the matter; he must have been insane.
[ Webster]

Likewise must the deacons be grave. 1 Tim. iii. 8.
[ Webster]

Morover, he [a bishop] must have a good report of them which are without. 1 Tim. iii. 7.
[ Webster]

☞ The principal verb, if easily supplied by the mind, was formerly often omitted when must was used; as, I must away. “I must to Coventry.” Shak.
[ Webster]

Must, n. [AS. must, fr. L. mustum (sc. vinum), from mustus young, new, fresh. Cf. .] 1. The expressed juice of the grape, or other fruit, before fermentation. “These men ben full of must.” Wyclif (Acts ii. 13.).
[ Webster]

No fermenting must fills . . . the deep vats. Longfellow.
[ Webster]

2. [Cf. .] Mustiness.
[ Webster]

Must, v. t. & i. To make musty; to become musty.
[ Webster]

must, musth (mŭst), a. [Hind. mast intoxicated, ruttish, fr. Skr. matta, p.p. of mad to rejoice, intoxicate.] (Zoöl.) Being in a condition of dangerous frenzy, usually connected with sexual excitement; -- said of adult male elephants which become so at irregular intervals, typicaly due to increased testosterone levels. -- n. (a) The condition of frenzy. (b) An elephant in must.
[Webster Suppl. +PJC]

Mustac (?), n. [F. moustac.] (Zoöl.) A small tufted monkey.
[ Webster]

Mustache (mŭstȧsh; 277), n.; pl. Mustaches (�). [Written also moustache.] [F. moustache, It. mostaccio visage, mostacchio mustache, fr. Gr. mystax upper lip and the beard upon it; cf. mastax mouth: cf. Sp. mostacho.] 1. That part of the beard which grows on the upper lip; hair left growing above the mouth.
[ Webster]

2. (Zoöl.) A West African monkey (Cercopithecus cephus). It has yellow whiskers, and a triangular blue mark on the nose.
[ Webster]

3. (Zoöl.) Any conspicuous stripe of color on the side of the head, beneath the eye of a bird.
[ Webster]

4. A stain or discoloration on the upper lip of a person; as, wearing a milk mustache. [informal]
[PJC]

Mustachio (?), n.; pl. Mustachios (�). A mustache. Longfellow.
[ Webster]

mustachioed (?), a. Having a mustache or mustachios.
Syn. -- mustached.
[ Webster]

Mustahfiz (?), n. [Turk. & Ar. mustaḥfiẓ who trusts to another's keeping, a soldier of a garrison.] See , above.
[Webster Suppl.]

Mustaiba (?), n. A close-grained, heavy wood of a brownish color, brought from Brazil, and used in turning, for making the handles of tools, and the like. [Written also mostahiba.] MaElrath.
[ Webster]

Mustang (?), n. [Sp. musteño belonging to the graziers, strayed, wild.] (Zoöl.) The half-wild horse of the plains in Mexico, California, etc. It is small, hardy, and easily sustained.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Mustard grape (Bot.), a species of grape (Vitis candicans), native in Arkansas and Texas. The berries are small, light-colored, with an acid skin and a sweet pulp.
[ Webster]

Mustard (?), n. [OF. moustarde, F. moutarde, fr. L. mustum must, -- mustard was prepared for use by being mixed with must. See , n.] 1. (Bot.) The name of several cruciferous plants of the genus Brassica (formerly Sinapis), as white mustard (Brassica alba), black mustard (Brassica Nigra), wild mustard or charlock (Brassica Sinapistrum).
[ Webster]

☞ There are also many herbs of the same family which are called mustard, and have more or less of the flavor of the true mustard; as, bowyer's mustard (Lepidium ruderale); hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale); Mithridate mustard (Thlaspi arvense); tower mustard (Arabis perfoliata); treacle mustard (Erysimum cheiranthoides).
[ Webster]

2. A powder or a paste made from the seeds of black or white mustard, used as a condiment and a rubefacient. Taken internally it is stimulant and diuretic, and in large doses is emetic.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Mustard oil (Chem.), a substance obtained from mustard, as a transparent, volatile and intensely pungent oil. The name is also extended to a number of analogous compounds produced either naturally or artificially.
[ Webster]

Mustee (?), n. See .
[ Webster]

Mustela prop. n. The type genus of the family Mustelidae: minks and weasels.
Syn. -- genus Mustela.
[WordNet 1.5]

mustelid n. A member of the Mustelidae, fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals.
Syn. -- musteline mammal, musteline.
[WordNet 1.5]

Mustelidae prop. n. A natural family of fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals including the weasels; polecats; ferrets; minks; fishers; otters; badgers; skunks; wolverines; and martens.
Syn. -- family Mustelidae.
[WordNet 1.5]

Musteline (?), a. [L. mustelinus, fr. mustela weasel.] (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to the family Mustelidæ, or the weasels and martens.
[ Webster]

Mustelus prop. n. A genus of sharks including certain of the smooth dogfishes.
Syn. -- genus Mustelus.
[WordNet 1.5]

Muster (?), n. [OE. moustre, OF. mostre, moustre, F. montre, LL. monstra. See , v. t.] 1. Something shown for imitation; a pattern. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

2. A show; a display. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
[ Webster]

3. An assembling or review of troops, as for parade, verification of numbers, inspection, exercise, or introduction into service.
[ Webster]

The hurried muster of the soldiers of liberty. Hawthorne.
[ Webster]

See how in warlike muster they appear,
In rhombs, and wedges, and half-moons, and wings. Milton.
[ Webster]

4. The sum total of an army when assembled for review and inspection; the whole number of effective men in an army.
[ Webster]

And the muster was thirty thousands of men. Wyclif.
[ Webster]

Ye publish the musters of your own bands, and proclaim them to amount of thousands. Hooker.
[ Webster]

5. Any assemblage or display; a gathering.
[ Webster]

Of the temporal grandees of the realm, mentof their wives and daughters, the muster was great and splendid. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Muster book , a book in which military forces are registered. -- Coloq. Muster file , a muster roll. -- Coloq. Muster master (Mil.), one who takes an account of troops, and of their equipment; a mustering officer; an inspector. [Eng.] -- Coloq. Muster roll (Mil.), a list or register of all the men in a company, troop, or regiment, present or accounted for on the day of muster. -- Coloq. To pass muster , to pass through a muster or inspection without censure.
[ Webster]

Such excuses will not pass muster with God. South.
[ Webster]

Muster, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mustered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mustering.] [OE. mustren, prop., to show, OF. mostrer, mustrer, moustrer, monstrer, F. montrer, fr. L. monstrare to show. See .] 1. To collect and display; to assemble, as troops for parade, inspection, exercise, or the like. Spenser.
[ Webster]

2. Hence: To summon together; to enroll in service; to get together. “Mustering all its force.” Cowper.
[ Webster]

All the gay feathers he could muster. L'Estrange.
[ Webster]

Coloq. To muster troops into service (Mil.), to inspect and enter troops on the muster roll of the army. -- Coloq. To muster troops out of service (Mil.), to register them for final payment and discharge. -- Coloq. To muster up , to gather up; to succeed in obtaining; to obtain with some effort or difficulty.
[ Webster]

One of those who can muster up sufficient sprightliness to engage in a game of forfeits. Hazlitt.
[ Webster]

Muster, v. i. To be gathered together for parade, inspection, exercise, or the like; to come together as parts of a force or body; as, his supporters mustered in force. “The mustering squadron.” Byron.
[ Webster]

Mustily (?), a. In a musty state.
[ Webster]

Mustiness, n. The quality or state of being musty.
[ Webster]

Musty (?), a. [Compar. Mustier (?); superl. Mustiest.] [From L. mustum must; or perh. fr. E. moist. Cf. , n., .] 1. Having the rank, pungent, offensive odor and taste which substances of organic origin acquire during warm, moist weather; foul or sour and fetid; moldy; as, musty corn; musty books. Harvey.
[ Webster]

2. Spoiled by age; rank; stale.
[ Webster]

The proverb is somewhat musty. Shak.
[ Webster]

3. Dull; heavy; spiritless. “That he may not grow musty and unfit for conversation.” Addison.
[ Webster]

Mutability (?), n. [L. mutabilitas: cf. F. mutabilité.] The quality of being mutable, or subject to change or alteration, either in form, state, or essential character; susceptibility of change; changeableness; inconstancy; variation.
[ Webster]

Plato confessed that the heavens and the frame of the world are corporeal, and therefore subject to mutability. Stillingfleet.
[ Webster]

Mutable (?), a. [L. mutabilis, fr. mutare to change. See .] 1. Capable of alteration; subject to change; changeable in form, qualities, or nature.
[ Webster]

Things of the most accidental and mutable nature. South.
[ Webster]

2. Changeable; inconstant; unsettled; unstable; fickle. “Most mutable wishes.” Byron.
[ Webster]

Syn. -- Changeable; alterable; unstable; unsteady; unsettled; wavering; inconstant; variable; fickle.
[ Webster]

Mutableness, n. The quality of being mutable.
[ Webster]

Mutably, adv. Changeably.
[ Webster]

Mutacism (?), n. See .
[ Webster]

Mutage (mūt�j), n. [F.] A process for checking the fermentation of the must of grapes.
[ Webster]

Prev Next

Concept Explore Home

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z