measly - Mechanograph

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2. (Veter. Med.) A disease of cattle and swine in which the flesh is filled with the embryos of different varieties of the tapeworm.
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3. A disease of trees. [Obs.]
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4. pl. (Zoöl.) The larvæ of any tapeworm (Tænia) in the cysticerus stage, when contained in meat. Called also bladder worms.
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Coloq. German measles A mild contagious viral disease, which may cause birth defects if contracted by a pregnant woman during early pregnancy; also called rubella.
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measly (mēzly), a. 1. Infected with measles.
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2. (Zoöl.) Containing larval tapeworms; -- said of pork and beef.
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3. Contemptibly small in quantity; meager; absurdly insufficient or bad; as, a measly few dollars for all that work.
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measurability n. the quality of being measurable.
Syn. -- quantifiability.
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Measurable (?), a. [F. mesurable, L. mensurabilis. See , and cf. .]
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1. Capable of being measured; susceptible of mensuration or computation.
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2. Moderate; temperate; not excessive.
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Of his diet measurable was he. Chaucer.
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-- Measurableness, n. -- Measurably, adv.
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Yet do it measurably, as it becometh Christians. Latimer.
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measure (mĕzh�r; 135), n. [OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr. metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure, Gr. metron, E. meter. Cf. , , to measure.] 1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or multiples of which anything is estimated and stated; hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
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2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.
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False ells and measures be brought all clean adown. R. of Gloucester.
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3. The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated; estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat.
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The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Job xi. 9.
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4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount.
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It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal. Luke xiii. 21.
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5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure; with measure; without or beyond measure.
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Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure. Is. v. 14.
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6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion.
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Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days. Ps. xxxix. 4.
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7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
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8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree.
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There is a great measure of discretion to be used in the performance of confession. Jer. Taylor.
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9. Regulated division of movement: (a) (Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the time in which the accompanying music is performed; but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the minuet. (b) (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2) The space between two bars. See , , , , Compound time, under , a., and . (c) (Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the quantities, or long and short syllables; meter; rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.
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10. (Arith.) A number which is contained in a given number a number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases, the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of two or more numbers; a denominator. See common denominator under .
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11. A step or definite part of a progressive course or policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the accomplishment of an object; as, political measures; prudent measures; an inefficient measure.
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His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error. Clarendon.
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12. The act of measuring; measurement. Shak.
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13. pl. (Geol.) Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead measures.
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Coloq. linear measure , Coloq. lineal measure , or Coloq. long measure , measure of length; the measure of lines or distances. -- Coloq. Liquid measure , the measure of liquids. -- Coloq. Square measure , the measure of superficial area of surfaces in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc. -- Coloq. To have hard measure , to have harsh treatment meted out to one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with. -- Coloq. To take measures , to make preparations; to provide means. -- Coloq. To take one's measure , to measure one, as for a garment; hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character, ability, etc. -- Coloq. To tread a measure , to dance in the style so called. See 9 (a).
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Say to her, we have measured many miles
To tread a measure with her on this grass. Shak.
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Measure, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Measured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Measuring.] [F. mesurer, L. mensurare. See , n.] 1. To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to appraise.
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Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite
Thy power! what thought can measure thee? Milton.
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2. To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature.
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3. To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance.
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A true devoted pilgrim is not weary
To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps. Shak.
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4. To adjust by a rule or standard.
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To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires. Jer. Taylor.
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5. To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; -- often with out or off.
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With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matt. vii. 2.
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That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun. Addison.
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Coloq. To measure swords with one , to try another's skill in the use of the sword; hence, figuratively, to match one's abilities against an antagonist's.
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Measure (?), v. i. 1. To make a measurement or measurements.
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2. To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally.
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3. To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.
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Measured (?), a. Regulated or determined by a standard; hence, equal; uniform; graduated; limited; moderated; as, he walked with measured steps; he expressed himself in no measured terms. -- Measuredly, adv.
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Measureless (?), a. Without measure; unlimited; immeasurable. -- Measurelessness, n.
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Where Alf, the sacred river ran,
Through canyons measureless to man,
Down to a hidden sea. Coleridge.
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Syn. -- Boundless; limitless; endless; unbounded; unlimited; vast; immense; infinite; immeasurable.
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Measurement (?), n. 1. The act or result of measuring; mensuration; as, measurement is required.
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2. The extent, size, capacity, amount. or quantity ascertained by measuring; as, its measurement is five acres.
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Measurer (?), n. One who measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure commondities in market.
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Measuring, a. Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or dividing by measure.
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Coloq. Measuring faucet , a faucet which permits only a given quantity of liquid to pass each time it is opened, or one by means of which the liquid which passes can be measured. -- Coloq. Measuring worm (Zoöl.), the larva of any geometrid moth. They are so called because they move by a process in which they first pull the rear legs forward toward their front legs, forming a loop which resembles the process of measuring with a tape measure. The motion is completed by subsequently moving the front legs forward to an advanced position. See .
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Meat (mēt), n. [OE. mete, AS. mete; akin to OS. mat, meti, D. met hashed meat, G. mettwurst sausage, OHG. maz food, Icel. matr, Sw. mat, Dan. mad, Goth. mats. Cf. fruit, .] 1. Food, in general; anything eaten for nourishment, either by man or beast. Hence, the edible part of anything; as, the meat of a lobster, a nut, or an egg. Chaucer.
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And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, . . . to you it shall be for meat. Gen. i. 29.
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Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you. Gen. ix. 3.
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2. The flesh of animals used as food; esp., animal muscle; as, a breakfast of bread and fruit without meat.
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3. Specifically: Dinner; the chief meal. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Coloq. Meat biscuit . See under . -- Coloq. Meat earth (Mining), vegetable mold. Raymond. -- Coloq. Meat fly . (Zoöl.) See Flesh fly, under . -- Coloq. Meat offering (Script.), an offering of food, esp. of a cake made of flour with salt and oil. -- Coloq. To go to meat , to go to a meal. [Obs.] -- Coloq. To sit at meat , to sit at the table in taking food.
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Meat, v. t. To supply with food. [Obs.] Tusser.
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His shield well lined, his horses meated well. Chapman.
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Meatal (?), a. Of or pertaining to a meatus; resembling a meatus. Owen.
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Meated (?), a. 1. Fed; fattened. [Obs.] Tusser.
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2. Having (such) meat; -- used chiefly in composition; as, thick-meated.
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{ Meath, Meathe (?) }, n. [See .] A sweet liquor; mead. [Obs.] Chaucer. Milton.
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Meatiness (?), n. Quality of being meaty.
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Meatless, a. Having no meat; without food.
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“Leave these beggars meatless.” Sir T. More.
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Meatoscope (?), n. [Meatus + -scope.] (Med.) A speculum for examining a natural passage, as the urethra.
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Meatotome (?), n. [Meatus + Gr. � to cut.] (Surg.) An instrument for cutting into the urethra so as to enlarge its orifice.
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Meatus (?), n. sing. & pl.; E. pl. Meatuses (�). [L., a going, passage, fr. meare to go.] (Anat.) A natural passage or canal; as, the external auditory meatus. See Illust. of .
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Meaty (?), a. Abounding in meat.
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Meaw (?), n. The sea mew. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Meaw, v. i. See , to cry as a cat.
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Meawl (?), v. i. See , and .
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Meazel (?), n. See 1st . [Obs.]
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Meazling (?), a. Falling in small drops; mistling; mizzing. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.
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Mebles (?), n. pl. See . [Obs.]
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Mecate (?), n. [Sp.] A rope of hair or of maguey fiber, for tying horses, etc. [Southwestern U. S.]
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Meccawee (?), prop. a. Of or pertaining to Mecca, in Arabia. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Mecca.
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Mechanic (?), n. [F. mécanique mechanics. See , a.] 1. The art of the application of the laws of motion or force to construction. [Obs.]
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2. A mechanician; an artisan; an artificer; one who practices any mechanic art; one skilled or employed in shaping and uniting materials, as wood, metal, etc., into any kind of structure, machine, or other object, requiring the use of tools, or instruments. Also, a technician who maintains or repairs machinery; as, an auto mechanic.
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An art quite lost with our mechanics. Sir T. Browne.
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Mechanic (m�kănĭk), a. [F. mécanique, L. mechanicus, Gr. mhchanikos, fr. mhchanh a machine. See .] 1. Having to do with the application of the laws of motion in the art of constructing or making things; of or pertaining to mechanics; mechanical; as, the mechanic arts. “These mechanic philosophers.” Ray.
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Mechanic slaves,
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers. Shak.
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2. Of or pertaining to a mechanic or artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar.
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To make a god, a hero, or a king
Descend to a mechanic dialect. Roscommon.
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Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic tool. Thomson.
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3. Base. [Obs.] Whitlock.
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Mechanical (?), a. [From , a.]
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1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as distinguished from mental, vital, chemical, electrical, electronic, atomic etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; especially, using only the interactions of solid parts against each other; as mechanical brakes, in contrast to hydraulic brakes.
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2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools; made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical precision; mechanical products.
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We have also divers mechanical arts. Bacon.
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3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion; proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing; mechanical verses; mechanical service.
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4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.
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5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate; empirical. See the 2d Note under .
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Coloq. Mechanical effect , effective power; useful work exerted, as by a machine, in a definite time. -- Coloq. Mechanical engineering . See the Note under . -- Coloq. Mechanical maneuvers (Mil.), the application of mechanical appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of artillery. Farrow. -- Coloq. Mechanical philosophy , the principles of mechanics applied to the investigation of physical phenomena. -- Coloq. Mechanical powers , certain simple instruments, such as the lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting through a great space into a great force acting through a small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in combination. -- Coloq. Mechanical solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.
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Mechanical, n. A mechanic. [Obs.] Shak.
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Mechanicalize (?), v. t. To cause to become mechanical.
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Mechanically, adv. In a mechanical manner.
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Mechanicalness, n. The state or quality of being mechanical.
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Mechanician (?), n. [Cf. F. mécanicien. See .] One skilled in the theory or construction of machines; a machinist. Boyle.
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Mechanico-chemical (?), a. Pertaining to, connected with, or dependent upon, both mechanics and chemistry; -- said especially of those sciences which treat of such phenomena as seem to depend on the laws both of mechanics and chemistry, as electricity and magnetism.
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Mechanics (?), n. [Cf. F. mécanique.] That science, or branch of applied mathematics, which treats of the action of forces on bodies.
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☞ That part of mechanics which considers the action of forces in producing rest or equilibrium is called statics; that which relates to such action in producing motion is called dynamics. The term mechanics includes the action of forces on all bodies, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous. It is sometimes, however, and formerly was often, used distinctively of solid bodies only: The mechanics of liquid bodies is called also hydrostatics, or hydrodynamics, according as the laws of rest or of motion are considered. The mechanics of gaseous bodies is called also pneumatics. The mechanics of fluids in motion, with special reference to the methods of obtaining from them useful results, constitutes hydraulics.
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Coloq. Animal mechanics (Physiol.), that portion of physiology which has for its object the investigation of the laws of equilibrium and motion in the animal body. The most important mechanical principle is that of the lever, the bones forming the arms of the levers, the contractile muscles the power, the joints the fulcra or points of support, while the weight of the body or of the individual limbs constitutes the weight or resistance. -- Coloq. Applied mechanics , the principles of abstract mechanics applied to human art; also, the practical application of the laws of matter and motion to the construction of machines and structures of all kinds. -- Coloq. orbital mechanics , the principles governing the motion of bodies in orbit around other bodies under gravitational influence, such as artificial Earth satellites.
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mechanisation n. Mechanization.
Syn. -- automation, mechanization, high technology, high-tech.
[WordNet 1.5]

Mechanism (?), n. [Cf. F. mécanisme, L. mechanisma. See .] 1. The arrangement or relation of the parts of a machine; the parts of a machine, taken collectively; the arrangement or relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce an effect; as, the mechanism of a watch; the mechanism of a sewing machine; the mechanism of a seed pod.
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2. The series of causal relations that operate to produce an effect in any system; as, the mechanism of a chemical reaction.
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3. Mechanical operation or action.
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He acknowledges nothing besides matter and motion; so that all must be performed either by mechanism or accident. Bentley.
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4. (Kinematics) An ideal machine; a combination of movable bodies constituting a machine, but considered only with regard to relative movements.
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mechanism of action (?), n. (Medicine, Biochemistry) The mechanism{2} by which a pharmacologically active substance produces an effect on a living organism or in a biochemical system; as, the mechanism of action of actinomycin involves its binding to DNA. The mechanism of action is usually considered to include an identification of the specific molecular targets to which a pharmacologically active substance binds or whose biochemical action it influences; a general recognition of the broad biochemical pathways (such as DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, cholesterol synthesis) which are inhibited or affected by a substance is termed its mode of action.
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Mechanist, n. 1. A maker of machines; one skilled in mechanics.
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2. One who regards the phenomena of nature as the effects of forces merely mechanical.
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mechanization n. 1. The act or process of mechanizing.
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2. Causing to be performed by machines, especially by a highly technical implementation, usually involving electronic hardware; as, the mechanization of a manufacturing process.
Syn. -- automation, mechanisation, high technology, high-tech.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Mechanize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mechanized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mechanizing (?).] [Cf. F. méchaniser.] 1. To cause to be mechanical. Shelley.
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2. To introduce machinery into (a process) in order to reduce human effort or improve uniformity or quality of the result; especially, To cause to be accomplished by a mechanical means which requires little or no human supervision; to automate.
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3. Hence: (Mil.) To equip (an armed force) with tanks or other vehicles.
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Mechanograph (?), n. [Gr. mhchanh machine + -graph.] One of a number of copies of anything multiplied mechanically.
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