million
million: n. & adj. --n. (pl. same or (in sense 2) millions) (in sing. prec. by a or one.
1 a thousand thousand.
2 (in pl.) colloq. a very large number (millions of years).
3 (prec. by the) the bulk of the population.
4 a Brit. a million pounds. b US a million dollars. --adj. that amount to a million. øgone a million Austral. sl. completely defeated. øømillionfold adj. & adv. millionth adj. & n. [ME f. OF, prob. f. It. millione f. mille thousand + -one augment. suffix]

measurement
measurement: n.
1 the act or an instance of measuring.
2 an amount determined by measuring.
3 (in pl.) detailed dimensions.

married
married: adj. & n. --adj.
1 united in marriage.
2 of or relating to marriage (married name; married life). --n. (usu. in pl.) a married person (young marrieds).

movable
movable: adj. & n. (also moveable) --adj.
1 that can be moved.
2 Law (of property) of the nature of a chattel, as distinct from land or buildings.
3 (of a feast or festival) variable in date from year to year. --n.
1 an article of furniture that may be removed from a house, as distinct from a fixture.
2 (in pl.) personal property. ømovable-doh Mus. applied to a system of sight-singing in which doh is the keynote of any major scale (cf. fixed-doh). øømovability n. movableness n. movably adv. [ME f. OF (as MOVE)]

machinist
machinist: n.
1 a person who operates a machine, esp. a sewing-machine or a machine tool.
2 a person who makes machinery.

madden
madden: v.
1 tr. & intr. make or become mad.
2 tr. irritate intensely. øømaddening adj. maddeningly adv.

marathon
marathon: n.
1 a long-distance running race, usu. of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 km).
2 a long-lasting or difficult task, operation, etc. (often attrib.: a marathon shopping expedition). øømarathoner n. [Marathon in Greece, scene of a victory over the Persians in 490 BC: a messenger was said to have run to Athens with the news, but the account has no authority]

magnetron
magnetron: n. an electron tube for amplifying or generating microwaves, with the flow of electrons controlled by an external magnetic field. [MAGNET + -TRON]

master
master: n., adj., & v. --n.
1 a a person having control of persons or things. b an employer. c a male head of a household (master of the house). d the owner of a dog, horse, etc. e the owner of a slave. f Naut. the captain of a merchant ship. g Hunting the person in control of a pack of hounds etc.
2 a male teacher or tutor, esp. a schoolmaster.
3 a the head of a college, school, etc. b the presiding officer of a livery company, Masonic lodge, etc.
4 a person who has or gets the upper hand (we shall see which of us is master).
5 a person skilled in a particular trade and able to teach others (often attrib.: master carpenter).
6 a holder of a university degree orig. giving authority to teach in the university (Master of Arts; Master of Science).
7 a a revered teacher in philosophy etc. b (the Master) Christ.
8 a great artist.
9 Chess etc. a player of proved ability at international level. 10 an original version (e.g. of a film or gramophone record) from which a series of copies can be made. 11 (Master) a a title prefixed to the name of a boy not old enough to be called Mr (Master T. Jones; Master Tom). b archaic a title for a man of high rank, learning, etc. 12 (in England and Wales) an official of the Supreme Court. 13 a machine or device directly controlling another (cf. SLAVE). 14 (Master) a courtesy title of the eldest son of a Scottish viscount or baron (the Master of Falkland). --adj.
1 commanding, superior (a master spirit).
2 main, principal (master bedroom).
3 controlling others (master plan). --v.tr.
1 overcome, defeat.
2 reduce to subjection.
3 acquire complete knowledge of (a subject) or facility in using (an instrument etc.).
4 rule as a master. øbe master o.
1 have at one's disposal.
2 know how to control. be one's own master be independent or free to do as one wishes. make oneself master of acquire a thorough knowledge of or facility in using. Master Aircrew an RAF rank equivalent to warrant-officer. master-at-arms (pl. masters-at-arms) the chief police officer on a man-of-war or a merchant ship. master-class a class given by a person of distinguished skill, esp. in music. master-han.
1 a person having commanding power or great skill.
2 the action of such a person. master-key a key that opens several locks, each of which also has its own key. master marine.
1 the captain of a merchant ship.
2 a seaman certified competent to be captain. master maso.
1 a skilled mason, or one in business on his or her own account.
2 a fully qualified Freemason, who has passed the third degree. Master of Ceremonies see CEREMONY . Master of the Rolls (in England and Wales) a judge who presides over the Court of Appeal and was formerly in charge of the Public Record Office. master-stroke an outstandingly skilful act of policy etc. master-switch a switch controlling the supply of electricity etc. to an entire system. master touch a masterly manner of dealing with something. master-work a masterpiece. øømasterdom n. masterhood n. masterless adj. [OE mógester (later also f. OF maistre) f. L magister, prob. rel. to magis more]

marked
marked: adj.
1 having a visible mark.
2 clearly noticeable; evident (a marked difference).
3 (of playing-cards) having distinctive marks on their backs to assist cheating. ømarked ma.
1 a person whose conduct is watched with suspicion or hostility.
2 a person destined to succeed. øømarkedly adv. markedness n. [OE (past part. of MARK(1))]

metaphysics
metaphysics: n.pl. (usu. treated as sing..
1 the theoretical philosophy of being and knowing.
2 the philosophy of mind.
3 colloq. abstract or subtle talk; mere theory. øømetaphysician n. metaphysicize v.intr. [ME metaphysic f. OF metaphysique f. med.L metaphysica ult. f. Gk ta meta ta phusika the things after the Physics, from the sequence of Aristotle's works]

machine
machine: n. & v. --n.
1 an apparatus using or applying mechanical power, having several parts each with a definite function and together performing certain kinds of work.
2 a particular kind of machine, esp. a vehicle, a piece of electrical or electronic apparatus, etc.
3 an instrument that transmits a force or directs its application.
4 the controlling system of an organization etc. (the party machine).
5 a person who acts mechanically and with apparent lack of emotion. --v.tr. make or operate on with a machine (esp. in sewing or printing). ømachine code (or language) a computer language that a particular computer can respond to directly. machine-readable in a form that a computer can process. machine tool a mechanically operated tool for working on metal, wood, or plastics. machine-toole.
1 shaped by a machine tool.
2 (of artistic presentation etc.) precise, slick, esp. excessively so. [F f. L machina f. Gk makhana Doric form of mekhane f. mekhos contrivance]

magenta
magenta: n. & adj. --n.
1 a brilliant mauvish-crimson shade.
2 an aniline dye of this colour; fuchsine. --adj. of or coloured with magenta. [Magenta in N. Italy, site of a battle (1859) fought shortly before the dye was discovered]

monetary
monetary: adj.
1 of the currency in use.
2 of or consisting of money. øømonetarily adv. [F mon÷taire or LL monetarius f. L (as MONEY)]

magnify
magnify: v.tr. (-ies, -ied.
1 make (a thing) appear larger than it is, as with a lens.
2 exaggerate.
3 intensify.
4 archaic extol, glorify. ømagnifying glass a lens used to produce an enlarged image. øømagnifiable adj. magnifier n. [ME f. OF magnifier or L magnificare (as MAGNIFICENT)]

metal
metal: n., adj., & v. --n.
1 a any of a class of chemical elements such as gold, silver, iron, and tin, usu. lustrous ductile solids and good conductors of heat and electricity and forming basic oxides. b an alloy of any of these.
2 material used for making glass, in a molten state.
3 Heraldry gold or silver as tincture.
4 (in pl.) the rails of a railway line.
5 = road-metal (see ROAD(1) )). --adj. made of metal. --v.tr. (metalled, metalling; US metaled, metaling.
1 provide or fit with metal.
2 Brit. make or mend (a road) with road-metal. ømetal detector an electronic device giving a signal when it locates metal. metal fatigue fatigue (see FATIGUE n. 2) in metal. [ME f. OF metal or L metallum f. Gk metallon mine]

movement
movement: n.
1 the act or an instance of moving or being moved.
2 a the moving parts of a mechanism (esp. a clock or watch). b a particular group of these.
3 a a body of persons with a common object (the peace movement). b a campaign undertaken by such a body.
4 (usu. in pl.) a person's activities and whereabouts, esp. at a particular time.
5 Mus. a principal division of a longer musical work, self-sufficient in terms of key, tempo, structure, etc.
6 the progressive development of a poem, story, etc.
7 motion of the bowels.
8 a an activity in a market for some commodity. b a rise or fall in price.
9 a mental impulse. 10 a development of position by a military force or unit. [ME f. OF f. med.L movimentum (as MOVE)]

music
music: n.
1 the art of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
2 the sounds so produced.
3 musical compositions.
4 the written or printed score of a musical composition.
5 certain pleasant sounds, e.g. birdsong, the sound of a stream, etc. ømusic box US = musical box. music centre equipment combining radio, record-player, tape recorder, etc. music drama Wagnerian-type opera without formal arias etc. and governed by dramatic considerations. music-hall Brit.
1 variety entertainment, popular c.1850-1914, consisting of singing, dancing, and novelty acts.
2 a theatre where this took place. music of the spheres see SPHERE . music-paper paper printed with staves for writing music. music stand a rest or frame on which sheet music or a score is supported. music stool a stool for a pianist, usu. with adjustable height. music theatre in late 20th-c. music, the combination of elements from music and drama in new forms distinct from traditional opera, esp. as designed for small groups of performers. music to one's ears something very pleasant to hear. [ME f. OF musique f. L musica f. Gk mousike (tekhne art) of the Muses (mousa Muse: see MUSE(1) ))]

memory
memory: n. (pl. -ies.
1 the faculty by which things are recalled to or kept in the mind.
2 a this faculty in an individual (my memory is beginning to fail). b one's store of things remembered (buried deep in my memory).
3 a recollection or remembrance (the memory of better times).
4 the storage capacity of a computer or other electronic machinery.
5 the remembrance of a person or thing (his mother's memory haunted him).
6 a the reputation of a dead person (his memory lives on). b in formulaic phrases used of a dead sovereign etc. (of blessed memory).
7 the length of time over which the memory or memories of any given person or group extends (within living memory; within the memory of anyone still working here).
8 the act of remembering (a deed worthy of memory). øcommit to memory learn (a thing) so as to be able to recall it. from memory without verification in books etc. in memory of to keep alive the remembrance of. memory bank (or board) the memory device of a computer etc. memory lane (usu. prec. by down, along) an imaginary and sentimental journey into the past. memory mapping Computing the allocation of peripheral devices to appear located within the main memory of a computer. [ME f. OF memorie, memoire f. L memoria f. memor mindful, remembering, rel. to MOURN]

missing
missing: adj.
1 not in its place; lost.
2 (of a person) not yet traced or confirmed as alive but not known to be dead.
3 not present. ømissing lin.
1 a thing lacking to complete a series.
2 a hypothetical intermediate type, esp. between humans and apes.

measure
measure: n. & v. --n.
1 a size or quantity found by measuring.
2 a system of measuring (liquid measure; linear measure).
3 a rod or tape etc. for measuring.
4 a vessel of standard capacity for transferring or determining fixed quantities of liquids etc. (a pint measure).
5 a the degree, extent, or amount of a thing. b (foll. by of) some degree of (there was a measure of wit in her remark).
6 a unit of capacity, e.g. a bushel (20 measures of wheat).
7 a factor by which a person or thing is reckoned or evaluated (their success is a measure of their determination).
8 (usu. in pl.) suitable action to achieve some end (took measures to ensure a good profit).
9 a legislative enactment. 10 a quantity contained in another an exact number of times. 11 a prescribed extent or quantity. 12 Printing the width of a page or column of type. 13 a poetical rhythm; metre. b a metrical group of a dactyl or two iambuses, trochees, spondees, etc. 14 US Mus. a bar or the time-content of a bar. 15 archaic a dance. 16 a mineral stratum (coal measures). --v.
1 tr. ascertain the extent or quantity of (a thing) by comparison with a fixed unit or with an object of known size.
2 intr. be of a specified size (it measures six inches).
3 tr. ascertain the size and proportion of (a person) for clothes.
4 tr. estimate (a quality, person's character, etc.) by some standard or rule.
5 tr. (often foll. by off) mark (a line etc. of a given length).
6 tr. (foll. by out) deal or distribute (a thing) in measured quantities.
7 tr. (foll. by with, against) bring (oneself or one's strength etc.) into competition with.
8 tr. poet. traverse (a distance). øbeyond measure excessively. for good measure as something beyond the minimum; as a finishing touch. in a (or some) measure partly. made to measure Brit. (of clothes) made from measurements taken. measure u.
1 a determine the size etc. of by measurement. b take comprehensive measurements.
2 (often foll. by to) have the necessary qualifications (for). measuring-jug (or -cup) a jug or cup marked to measure its contents. measuring-tape a tape marked to measure length. measuring-worm the caterpillar of the geometer moth. [ME f. OF mesure f. L mensura f. metiri mens- measure]

microscope
microscope: n. an instrument magnifying small objects by means of a lens or lenses so as to reveal details invisible to the naked eye. [mod.L microscopium (as MICRO-, -SCOPE)]

maintain
maintain: v.tr.
1 cause to continue; keep up, preserve (a state of affairs, an activity, etc.) (maintained friendly relations).
2 (often foll. by in; often refl.) support (life, a condition, etc.) by work, nourishment, expenditure, etc. (maintained him in comfort; maintained themselves by fishing).
3 (often foll. by that + clause) assert (an opinion, statement, etc.) as true (maintained that she was the best; his story was true, he maintained).
4 preserve or provide for the preservation of (a building, machine, road, etc.) in good repair.
5 give aid to (a cause, party, etc.).
6 provide means for (a garrison etc. to be equipped). ømaintained school Brit. a school supported from public funds. øømaintainable adj. maintainability n. [ME f. OF maintenir ult. f. L manu tenere hold in the hand]

mechanism
mechanism: n.
1 the structure or adaptation of parts of a machine.
2 a system of mutually adapted parts working together in or as in a machine.
3 the mode of operation of a process.
4 Art mechanical execution; technique.
5 Philos. the doctrine that all natural phenomena, including life, allow mechanical explanation by physics and chemistry. [mod.L mechanismus f. Gk (as MACHINE)]

macaque
macaque: n. any monkey of the genus Macaca, including the rhesus monkey and Barbary ape, having prominent cheek pouches and usu. a long tail. [F f. Port. macaco f. Fiot makaku some monkeys f. kaku monkey]

magistral
magistral: adj.
1 of a master or masters.
2 Pharm. (of a remedy etc.) devised and made up for a particular case (cf. OFFICINAL). [F magistral or L magistralis f. magister MASTER]

magnetic
magnetic: adj.
1 a having the properties of a magnet. b producing, produced by, or acting by magnetism.
2 capable of being attracted by or acquiring the properties of a magnet.
3 very attractive or alluring (a magnetic personality). ømagnetic compass = COMPASS 1. magnetic disk see DISC . magnetic equator an imaginary line, near the equator, on which a magnetic needle has no dip. magnetic field a region of variable force around magnets, magnetic materials, or current-carrying conductors. magnetic inclination = DIP n. 8. magnetic mine a submarine mine detonated by the proximity of a magnetized body such as that of a ship. magnetic moment the property of a magnet that interacts with an applied field to give a mechanical moment. magnetic needle a piece of magnetized steel used as an indicator on the dial of a compass and in magnetic and electrical apparatus, esp. in telegraphy. magnetic north the point indicated by the north end of a compass needle. magnetic pol.
1 each of the points near the extremities of the axis of rotation of the earth or another body where a magnetic needle dips vertically.
2 each of the regions of an artificial or natural magnet, from which the magnetic forces appear to originate. magnetic storm a disturbance of the earth's magnetic field caused by charged particles from the sun etc. magnetic tape a tape coated with magnetic material for recording sound or pictures or for the storage of information. øømagnetically adv. [LL magneticus (as MAGNET)]

massive
massive: adj.
1 large and heavy or solid.
2 (of the features, head, etc.) relatively large; of solid build.
3 exceptionally large (took a massive overdose).
4 substantial, impressive (a massive reputation).
5 Mineral. not visibly crystalline.
6 Geol. without structural divisions. øømassively adv. massiveness n. [ME f. F massif -ive f. OF massiz ult. f. L massa MASS(1)]

maritime
maritime: adj.
1 connected with the sea or seafaring (maritime insurance).
2 living or found near the sea. [L maritimus f. mare sea]

modulus
modulus: n. (pl. moduli) Math.
1 a the magnitude of a real number without regard to its sign. b the positive square root of the sum of the squares of the real and imaginary parts of a complex number.
2 a constant factor or ratio.
3 (in number theory) a number used as a divisor for considering numbers in sets giving the same remainder when divided by it.
4 a constant indicating the relation between a physical effect and the force producing it. [L, = measure, dimin. of modus]

manner
manner: n.
1 a way a thing is done or happens (always dresses in that manner).
2 (in pl.) a social behaviour (it is bad manners to stare). b polite or well-bred behaviour (he has no manners). c modes of life; conditions of society.
3 a person's outward bearing, way of speaking, etc. (has an imperious manner).
4 a a style in literature, art, etc. (in the manner of Rembrandt). b = MANNERISM 2a.
5 archaic a kind or sort (what manner of man is he?). øall manner of many different kinds of. comedy of manners satirical portrayal of social behaviour, esp. of the upper classes. in a manner of speaking in some sense; to some extent; so to speak. manner of means see MEANS . to the manner bor.
1 colloq. naturally at ease in a specified job, situation, etc.
2 destined by birth to follow a custom or way of life (Shakesp. Hamlet I. iv. 17). øømannerless adj. (in sense 2b of n.). [ME f. AF manere, OF maniere ult. f. L manuarius of the hand (manus)]

meanie
meanie: n. (also meany) (pl. -ies) colloq. a mean, niggardly, or small-minded person.

metropolitan
metropolitan: adj. & n. --adj.
1 of or relating to a metropolis, esp. as distinct from its environs (metropolitan New York).
2 belonging to, forming or forming part of, a mother country as distinct from its colonies etc. (metropolitan France).
3 of an ecclesiastical metropolis. --n.
1 (in full metropolitan bishop) a bishop having authority over the bishops of a province, in the Western Church equivalent to archbishop, in the Orthodox Church ranking above archbishop and below patriarch.
2 an inhabitant of a metropolis. ømetropolitan county hist. (in England) each of six units of local government centred on a large urban area (in existence 1974-86). metropolitan magistrate Brit. a paid professional magistrate in London (cf. stipendiary magistrate). øømetropolitanate n. (in sens.
1 of n.). metropolitanism n. [ME f. LL metropolitanus f. Gk metropolites (as METROPOLIS)]

modifier
modifier: n.
1 a person or thing that modifies.
2 Gram. a word, esp. an adjective or noun used attributively, that qualifies the sense of another word (e.g. good and family in a good family house).

midday
midday: n. the middle of the day; noon. [OE middóg (as MID(1), DAY)]

myself
myself: pron.
1 emphat. form of I(2) or ME(1) (I saw it myself; I like to do it myself).
2 refl. form of ME(1) (I was angry with myself; able to dress myself; as bad as myself).
3 in my normal state of body and mind (I'm not myself today).
4 poet. = I(2). øby myself see by+oneself . I myself I for my part (I myself am doubtful). [ME(1) + SELF: my- partly after herself with her regarded as poss. pron.]

meat
meat: n.
1 the flesh of animals (esp. mammals) as food.
2 (foll. by of) the essence or chief part of.
3 US the edible part of fruits, nuts, eggs, shellfish, etc.
4 archaic a food of any kind. b a meal. ømeat and drink a source of great pleasure. meat-axe a butcher's cleaver. meat-fly (pl. -flies) a fly that breeds in meat. meat loaf minced or chopped meat moulded into the shape of a loaf and baked. meat safe a cupboard for storing meat, usu. of wire gauze etc. øømeatless adj. [OE mete food f. Gmc]

mutual
mutual: adj.
1 (of feelings, actions, etc.) experienced or done by each of two or more parties with reference to the other or others (mutual affection).
2 colloq. disp. common to two or more persons (a mutual friend; a mutual interest).
3 standing in (a specified) relation to each other (mutual well-wishers; mutual beneficiaries). ømutual fund US a unit trust. mutual inductance the property of an electric circuit that causes an electromotive force to be generated in it by change in the current flowing through a magnetically linked circuit. mutual induction the production of an electromotive force between adjacent circuits that are magnetically linked. mutual insurance insurance in which some or all of the profits are divided among the policyholders. øømutuality n. mutually adv. [ME f. OF mutuel f. L mutuus mutual, borrowed, rel. to mutare change]

mesolithic
mesolithic: adj. Archaeol. of or concerning the Stone Age between the palaeolithic and neolithic periods. [MESO- + Gk lithos stone]

mythology
mythology: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a body of myths (Greek mythology).
2 the study of myths. øømythologer n. mythologic adj. mythological adj. mythologically adv. mythologist n. mythologize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). mythologizer n. [ME f. F mythologie or LL mythologia f. Gk muthologia (as MYTHO-, -LOGY)]

monthly
monthly: adj., adv., & n. --adj. done, produced, or occurring once a month. --adv. once a month; from month to month. --n. (pl. -ies.
1 a monthly periodical.
2 (in pl.) colloq. a menstrual period.

mythologicmathematics
mathematics: n.pl.
1 (also treated as sing.) the abstract science of number, quantity, and space studied in its own right (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics, engineering, etc. (applied mathematics).
2 (as pl.) the use of mathematics in calculation etc. øømathematician n. [prob. f. F math÷matiques pl. f. L mathematica f. Gk mathematika: see MATHEMATICAL]

morning
morning: n. & int. --n.
1 the early part of the day, esp. from sunrise to noon (this morning; during the morning; morning coffee).
2 this time spent in a particular way (had a busy morning).
3 sunrise, daybreak.
4 a time compared with the morning, esp. the early part of one's life etc. --int. = good morning (see GOOD adj. 14). øin the mornin.
1 during or in the course of the morning.
2 colloq. tomorrow. morning after colloq. a hangover. morning-after pill a contraceptive pill effective when taken some hours after intercourse. morning coat a coat with tails, and with the front cut away below the waist. morning dress a man's morning coat and striped trousers. morning glory any of various twining plants of the genus Ipomoea, with trumpet-shaped flowers. morning-room a sitting-room for the morning. morning sickness nausea felt in the morning in pregnancy. morning star a planet or bright star, usu. Venus, seen in the east before sunrise. morning watch Naut. the 4-8 a.m. watch. [ME mor(we)ning f. morwen MORN + -ING(1) after evening]

most
most: adj., n., & adv. --adj.
1 existing in the greatest quantity or degree (you have made most mistakes; see who can make the most noise).
2 the majority of; nearly all of (most people think so). --n.
1 the greatest quantity or number (this is the most I can do).
2 (the most) sl. the best of all.
3 the majority (most of them are missing). --adv.
1 in the highest degree (this is most interesting; what most annoys me).
2 forming the superlative of adjectives and adverbs, esp. those of more than one syllable (most certain; most easily).
3 US colloq. almost. øat most no more or better than (this is at most a makeshift). at the mos.
1 as the greatest amount.
2 not more than. for the most par.
1 as regards the greater part.
2 usually. make the most o.
1 employ to the best advantage.
2 represent at its best or worst. Most Honourable a title given to marquises and to members of the Privy Council and the Order of the Bath. Most Reverend a title given to archbishops and to Roman Catholic bishops. [OE mast f. Gmc]