marshiness - Masculate

marshiness (märshĭnĕs), n. The state or condition of being marshy.
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marsh marigold (märsh mărĭg�ld). (Bot.) A perennial plant of the genus Caltha (Caltha palustris), growing in wet places and bearing bright yellow flowers. In the United States it is used as a pot herb under the name of cowslip. See .
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marshy (märsh�), a. [E. .]
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1. Resembling a marsh; wet; boggy; fenny.
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2. Pertaining to, or produced in, marshes; as, a marshy weed. Dryden.
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Marsileaceae prop. n. A natural family of clover ferns.
Syn. -- family Marsileaceae.
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Marsipobranch (?), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Marsipobranchia.
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Marsipobranchia (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. � a pouch + � a gill.] (Zoöl.) A class of Vertebrata, lower than fishes, characterized by their purselike gill cavities, cartilaginous skeletons, absence of limbs, and a suckerlike mouth destitute of jaws. It includes the lampreys and hagfishes. See , and . Called also Marsipobranchiata, and Marsipobranchii.
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Marsupial (märsūpĭ�l), a. [Cf. F. marsupial.]
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1. (Zoöl.) Having a pouch for carrying the immature young; of or pertaining to the Marsupialia.
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2. (Anat. & Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to a marsupium; as, the marsupial bones.
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Coloq. Marsupial frog . (Zoöl.) See .
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marsupial, n. (Zoöl.) One of the Marsupialia.
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Marsupialia (märsūpĭālĭȧ), prop. n. pl. [NL., fr. L. marsupium a pouch, bag, purse, Gr. marsypion, dim. of marsypos, marsipos.] (Zoöl.) A subclass of Mammalia, including nearly all the mammals of Australia and the adjacent islands, together with the opossums of America. They differ from ordinary mammals in having the corpus callosum very small, in being implacental, and in having their young born while very immature. The female generally carries the young for some time after birth in an external pouch, or marsupium. Called also Marsupiata.
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{ marsupialian (?), marsupian (?), } n. (Zoöl.) One of the Marsupialia.
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marsupiate (?), a. (Zoöl.) Related to or resembling the marsupials; furnished with a pouch for the young, as the marsupials, and also some fishes and Crustacea.
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marsupion (?), n. [NL.] Same as .
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marsupite (?), n. [See .] (Paleon.) A fossil crinoid of the genus Marsupites, resembling a purse in form.
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marsupium (?), n.; pl. marsupia (#). [L., a pouch], (Anat. & Zoöl.) (a) The pouch, formed by a fold of the skin of the abdomen, in which marsupials carry their young; also, a pouch for similar use in other animals, as certain Crustacea. (b) The pecten in the eye of birds and reptiles. See .
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Mart (märt), n. [Contr. fr. market.]
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1. A market.
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Where has commerce such a mart . . . as London? Cowper.
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2. A bargain. [Obs.] Shak.
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Mart, v. t. To buy or sell in, or as in, a mart. [Obs.]
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To sell and mart your officer for gold
To undeservers. Shak.
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Mart, v. t. To traffic. [Obs.] Shak.
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Mart, n. [See .] 1. The god Mars. [Obs.]
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2. Battle; contest. [Obs.] Fairfax.
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martagon (?), n. [Cf. F. & Sp. martagon, It. martagone.] (Bot.) A lily (Lilium Martagon) with purplish red flowers, found in Europe and Asia.
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martel (?), v. i. [F. marteler, fr. martel, marteau, hammer, a dim. fr. L. martulus, marculus, dim. of marcus hammer. Cf. to step.] To make a blow with, or as with, a hammer. [Obs.] Spenser.
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martel de fer (?). [OF., hammer of iron.] A weapon resembling a hammer, often having one side of the head pointed; -- used by horsemen in the Middle Ages to break armor. Fairholt.
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marteline (?), n. [F.] A small hammer used by marble workers and sculptors.
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Martello tower (?). [It. martello hammer. The name was orig. given to towers erected on the coasts of Sicily and Sardinia for protection against the pirates in the time of Charles the Fifth, which prob. orig. contained an alarm bell to be struck with a hammer. See .] (Fort.) A building of masonry, generally circular, usually erected on the seacoast, with a gun on the summit mounted on a traversing platform, so as to be fired in any direction.
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☞ The English borrowed the name of the tower from Corsica in 1794.
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Marten (märtĕn), n. (Zoöl.) A bird. See .
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marten, n. [From older martern, marter, martre, F. martre, marte, LL. martures (pl.), fr. L. martes; akin to AS. mearð, meard, G. marder, OHG. mardar, Icel. mörðr. Cf. .] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of the genus Martes (formerly Mustela), closely allied to the sable. Among the more important species are the European beech marten or stone marten (Martes foina); the pine marten (Martes martes); and the American marten, or sable (Martes Americana), which some zoölogists consider only a variety of the Russian sable.
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2. The fur of the marten, used for hats, muffs, etc.
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martern (?), n. (Zoöl.) Same as . [Obs.]
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mar-text (?), n. A blundering preacher.
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Martes prop. n. The genus of mammals including the martens.
Syn. -- genus Martes.
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Martial (?), a. [F., fr. L. martialis of or belonging to Mars, the god of war. Cf. the month.]
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1. Of, pertaining to, or suited for, war; military; as, martial music; a martial appearance. “Martial equipage.” Milton.
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2. Practiced in, or inclined to, war; warlike; brave.
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But peaceful kings, o'er martial people set,
Each other's poise and counterbalance are. Dryden.
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3. Belonging to war, or to an army and navy; -- opposed to civil; as, martial law; a court-martial.
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4. Pertaining to, or resembling, the god, or the planet, Mars. Sir T. Browne.
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5. (Old Chem. & Old Med.) Pertaining to, or containing, iron; chalybeate; as, martial preparations. [Archaic]
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Coloq. Martial flowers (Med.), a reddish crystalline salt of iron; the ammonio-chloride of iron. [Obs.] -- Coloq. Martial law , the law administered by the military power of a government when it has superseded the civil authority in time of war, or when the civil authorities are unable to enforce the laws. It is distinguished from military law, the latter being the code of rules for the regulation of the army and navy alone, either in peace or in war.
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Syn. -- , . Martial refers more to war in action, its array, its attendants, etc.; as, martial music, a martial appearance, a martial array, courts-martial, etc. Warlike describes the feeling or temper which leads to war, and the adjuncts of war; as, a warlike nation, warlike indication, etc. The two words are often used without discrimination.
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Martialism (?), n. The quality of being warlike; exercises suitable for war. [Obs.]
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Martialist, n. A warrior. [Obs.] Fuller.
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Martialize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Martialized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Martializing (?).] To render warlike; as, to martialize a people.
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Martially, adv. In a martial manner.
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Martialness, n. The quality of being martial.
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Martian (?), prop. a. [L. Martius.] Of or pertaining to Mars, the Roman god of war, or to the planet bearing his name; martial.
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Martian, prop. n. An inhabitant of the planet Mars; -- fictional or hypothetical. Du Maurier.
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☞ In science fiction, it has often been postulated that there are intelligent creatures living on Mars, but no strong evidence of any form of life on Mars has been observed up to the end of 1998.

Martin (?), n. (Stone Working) [Etymol. uncertain.] A perforated stone-faced runner for grinding.
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Martin, n. [F. martin, from the proper name Martin. Cf. .] (Zoöl.) One of several species of swallows, usually having the tail less deeply forked than the tail of the common swallows. [Written also marten.]
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☞ The American purple martin, or bee martin (Progne subis or Progne purpurea), and the European house martin, or window martin (Hirundo urbica or Chelidon urbica), are the best known species.
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Coloq. Bank martin . (a) The bank swallow. See under . (b) The fairy martin. See under . -- Coloq. Bee martin . (a) The purple martin. (b) The kingbird. -- Coloq. Sand martin , the bank swallow.
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Martinet (?), n. [So called from an officer of that name in the French army under Louis XIV. Cf. the bird, .] In military language, a strict disciplinarian; in general, one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods. [Hence, the word is commonly employed in a depreciatory sense.]
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Martinet, n. [F.] (Zoöl.) The martin.
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Martineta (?), n. [Cf. Sp. martinete.] (Zoöl.) A species of tinamou (Calopezus elegans), having a long slender crest.
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Martinetism (?), n. The principles or practices of a martinet; rigid adherence to discipline, etc.
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{ Martingale (?), Martingal (?), } n. [F. martingale; cf. It. martingala a sort of hose, martingale, Sp. martingala a greave, cuish, martingale, Sp. almártaga a kind of bridle.] 1. A strap fastened to a horse's girth, passing between his fore legs, and fastened to the bit, or now more commonly ending in two rings, through which the reins pass. It is intended to hold down the head of the horse, and prevent him from rearing.
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2. (Naut.) A lower stay of rope or chain for the jib boom or flying jib boom, fastened to, or reeved through, the dolphin striker. Also, the dolphin striker itself.
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3. (Gambling) The act of doubling, at each stake, that which has been lost on the preceding stake; also, the sum so risked; -- metaphorically derived from the bifurcation of the martingale of a harness. Called also Martingale strategy. Such a betting strategy does not change the overall likelihood of winning, but in a short run it increases the probability of winning a small sum, balancing it against an increased probability of losing a large sum. [Cant] Thackeray.
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Martinmas (?), n. [St. Martin + mass religious service.] (Eccl.) The feast of St. Martin, the eleventh of November; -- often called martlemans.
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Coloq. Martinmas summer , a period of calm, warm weather often experienced about the time of Martinmas; Indian summer. Percy Smith.
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Martite (?), n. [L. Mars, Martis, the god Mars, the alchemical name of iron.] (Min.) Iron sesquioxide in isometric form, probably a pseudomorph after magnetite.
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Martlemas (?), n. See . [Obs.]
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Martlet (?), n. [F. martinet. See the bird, and cf. a disciplinarian.]
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1. (Zoöl.) The European house martin.
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2. [Cf. F. merlette.] (Her.) A bird without beak or feet; -- generally assumed to represent a martin. As a mark of cadency it denotes the fourth son.
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Martyniaceae prop. n. A natural family in most classifications not considered a separate family but included in the Pedaliaceae.
Syn. -- family Martyniaceae.
[WordNet 1.5]

Martyr (?), n. [AS., from L. martyr, Gr. martyr, martys, prop., a witness; cf. Skr. smṛ to remember, E. memory.]
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1. One who, by his death, bears witness to the truth of the gospel; one who is put to death for his religion; as, Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Chaucer.
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To be a martyr, signifies only to witness the truth of Christ; but the witnessing of the truth was then so generally attended with persecution, that martyrdom now signifies not only to witness, but to witness by death. South.
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2. Hence, one who sacrifices his life, his station, or what is of great value to him, for the sake of principle, or to sustain a cause.
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Then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell,
Thou fall'st a blessed martyr ! Shak.
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Martyr (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Martyred (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Martyring.] 1. To put to death for adhering to some belief, esp. Christianity; to sacrifice on account of faith or profession. Bp. Pearson.
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2. To persecute; to torment; to torture. Chaucer.
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The lovely Amoret, whose gentle heart
Thou martyrest with sorrow and with smart. Spenser.
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Racked with sciatics, martyred with the stone. Pope.
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Martyrdom (?), n. [Martyr + -dom.] 1. The condition of a martyr; the death of a martyr; the suffering of death on account of adherence to the Christian faith, or to any cause. Bacon.
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I came from martyrdom unto this peace. Longfellow.
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2. Affliction; torment; torture. Chaucer.
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Martyrization (?), n. Act of martyrizing, or state of being martyrized; torture. B. Jonson.
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Martyrize (?), v. t. [Cf. F. martyriser, LL. martyrizare.] To make a martyr of. Spenser.
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Martyrly, adv. In the manner of a martyr.
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Martyrologe (?), n. [LL. martyrologium: cf. F. martyrologe.] A martyrology. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
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{ Martyrologic (?), Martyrological (?), } a. Pertaining to martyrology or martyrs; registering, or registered in, a catalogue of martyrs.
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Martyrologist (?), n. [Cf. F. martyrologiste.] A writer of martyrology; an historian of martyrs. T. Warton.
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Martyrology (?), n.; pl. -gies (#). [Martyr + -logy.] A history or account of martyrs; a register of martyrs. Bp. Stillingfleet.
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Martyrship, n. Martyrdom. [R.] Fuller.
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Marvel (?), n. [OE. mervaile, F. merveille, fr. L. mirabilia wonderful things, pl., fr. mirabilis wonderful, fr. mirari to wonder or marvel at. See , , and cf. .] 1. That which causes wonder; a prodigy; a miracle.
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I will do marvels such as have not been done. Ex. xxxiv. 10.
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Nature's sweet marvel undefiled. Emerson.
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2. Wonder. [R.] “Use lessens marvel.” Sir W. Scott.
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marvel of Peru, marvel-of-Peru. n. (Bot.) A common garden plant (Mirabilis jalapa or Mirabilis uniflora) of North America having fragrant red or purple or yellow or white flowers that open in late afternoon; called also four-o'clock. See .
Syn. -- common four-o'clock, marvel of Peru, Mirabilis jalapa, Mirabilis uniflora.
[WordNet 1.5]

Marvel, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Marveled (?) or Marvelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Marveling or Marvelling.] [OE. merveilen, OF. merveillier.] To be struck with surprise, astonishment, or wonder; to wonder.
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Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 1 john iii. 13.
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Marvel, v. t. 1. To marvel at. [Obs.] Wyclif.
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2. To cause to marvel, or be surprised; -- used impersonally. [Obs.]
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But much now me marveleth. Rich. the Redeless.
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marvellous adj. Marvelous.
Syn. -- improbable, marvelous, tall(prenominal).
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Marvelous (?), a. [OE. merveillous, OF. merveillos, F. Merveilleux. See , n.] [Written also marvellous.] 1. Exciting wonder or surprise; astonishing; wonderful.
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This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Ps. cxiii. 23.
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2. Partaking of the character of miracle, or supernatural power; incredible; so improbable as to defy belief.
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The marvelous fable includes whatever is supernatural, and especially the machines of the gods. Pope.
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Coloq. The marvelous , that which exceeds natural power, or is preternatural; that which is wonderful; -- opposed to the probable.
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Syn. -- Wonderful; astonishing; surprising; strange; improbable; incredible. -- , . We speak of a thing as wonderful when it awakens our surprise and admiration; as marvelous when it is so much out of the ordinary course of things as to seem nearly or quite incredible.
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Marvelously, adv. In a marvelous manner; wonderfully; strangely.
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Marvelousness, n. The quality or state of being marvelous; wonderfulness; strangeness.
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Marver (?), n. [Prob. corrupt. fr. OE. or F. marbre marble.] (Glass Marking) A stone, or cast-iron plate, or former, on which hot glass is rolled to give it shape.
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Marxism (?), prop. n. A system of economic and political thought, originated by Karl Marx, and elaborated by others. It holds that the state has been the a device for suppression of the masses, allowing exploitation by a dominant (capitalistic) class; that historical change occurs through class struggle; and that the capitalist system will inevitably wither away to be superseded by a classless society.
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Marxism-Leninism (?), prop. n. Marxism, as interpreted by V. I. Lenin.
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Marxist (?), prop. n. One who believes in the theories of Karl Marx.
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Marxist (?), prop. a. Of or pertaining to Marx or Marxism.
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Marxist-Leninist adj. of or pertaining to Marxism-Leninism.
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Mary (?), n. Marrow. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Mary (?), interj. See . [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Mary-bud (?), n. (Bot.) The marigold; a blossom of the marigold. Shak.
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Maryolatry (?), n. Mariolatry.
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Marysole (?), n. [Mary, the proper name + sole the fish.] (Zoöl.) A large British fluke, or flounder (Rhombus megastoma); -- called also carter, and whiff.
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marzipan (märzĭpăn), n. A confection made of almonds and sugar mixed into a paste and molded into shapes. Same as
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Masai prop. n. 1. A Nilotic language.
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2. An African tribe inhabiting parts of Kenya and Tanzania.
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Picture of Masai women and children standing by the roadside.
(Photographed in Kenya 1983 by PJC)

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{ Mascagnin (?), Mascagnite (?), } n. [Cf. F. mascagnin.] (Min.) Native sulphate of ammonia, found in volcanic districts; -- so named from Mascagni, who discovered it.
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mascara n. A cosmetic used to darken and thicken the eye lashes, usually applied with a small brush.
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Mascle (măsk'l), n. [OF. mascle, F. macle, L. macula spot, mesh of a net, LL. macula, macla, mascla a scale of a coat of mail. See armor.] (Her.) A lozenge voided.
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Mascled (-k'ld), a. Composed of, or covered with, lozenge-shaped scales; having lozenge-shaped divisions.
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Coloq. Mascled armor , armor composed of small lozenge-shaped scales of metal fastened on a foundation of leather or quilted cloth.
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{ Mascot, Mascotte } (?), n. [Through French fr. Pr. mascot a little sorcerer or magician, mascotto witchcraft, sorcery.] 1. A person who is supposed to bring good luck to the household to which he or she belongs.
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2. Hence: Anything that brings good luck; especially, an animal kept by a group, as a sports team, to serve as a symbol and to bring luck.
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Masculate (?), v. t. [L. masculus male, masculine.] To make strong. [Obs.] Cockeram.
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