Chapter 959

3. That through which, or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument.

Their virtuous conversation was a mean to work the conversion of the heathen to Christ. Hooker.

You may be able, by this mean , to review your own scientific acquirements. Coleridge.

Philosophical doubt is not an end, but a mean . Sir W. Hamilton.

&hand; In this sense the word is usually employed in the plural form means , and often with a singular attribute or predicate, as if a singular noun.

By this means he had them more at vantage. Bacon.

What other means is left unto us. Shak.

4. pl. Hence: Resources; property, revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance.

Your means are very slender, and your waste is great. Shak.

5. (Mus.) A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part. [Obs.]

The mean is drowned with your unruly base. Shak.

6. Meantime; meanwhile. [Obs.]

Spenser.

7. A mediator; a go-between. [Obs.]

Piers Plowman.

He wooeth her by means and by brokage. Chaucer.

By all means , certainly; without fail; as, go, by all means . -- By any means , in any way; possibly; at all.

If by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. Phil. iii. ll.

-- By no means , ∨ By no manner of means , not at all; certainly not; not in any degree.

The wine on this side of the lake is by no means so good as that on the other. Addison.

Meander <Xpage=905>

Me*an"der (?) , n. [L. Maeander , orig., a river in Phrygia, proverbial for its many windings, Gr. <?/: cf. F. m\'82andre .]

1. A winding, crooked, or involved course; as, the meanders of the veins and arteries .

Sir M. Hale.

While lingering rivers in meanders glide. Sir R. Blackmore.

2. A tortuous or intricate movement.

3. (Arch.) Fretwork. See Fret .

Meander <Xpage=905>

Me*an"der , v. t. To wind, turn, or twist; to make flexuous.

Dryton.

Meander <Xpage=905>

Me*an"der , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Meandered (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Meandering .] To wind or turn in a course or passage; to be intricate.

Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran. Coleridge.

Meandrian <Xpage=905>

Me*an"dri*an (?) , a. [L. Maeandrius : cf. F. m\'82andrien .] Winding; having many turns.

Meandrina <Xpage=905>

Me`an*dri"na (?) , n. [NL.: cf. F. m\'82andrine .] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of corals with meandering grooves and ridges, including the brain corals.

Meandrous, Meandry <Xpage=905>

Me*an"drous (?) , Me*an"dry (?) , a. Winding; flexuous.

Meaning <Xpage=905>

Mean"ing (?) , n. 1. That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent .

If there be any good meaning towards you. Shak.

2. That which is signified, whether by act lanquage; signification; sence; import; as, the meaning of a hint .

3. Sense; power of thinking. [R.]

-- Mean"ing*less , a. -- Mean"ing*ly , adv.

Meanly <Xpage=905>

Mean"ly , adv. [ Mean middle.] Moderately. [Obs.]

A man meanly learned himself, but not meanly affectioned to set forward learning in others. Ascham.

Meanly <Xpage=905>

Mean"ly , adv. [From Mean low.] In a mean manner; unworthily; basely; poorly; ungenerously.

While the heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies. Milton.

Would you meanly thus rely On power you know I must obey ? Prior.

We can not bear to have others think meanly of them [our kindred]. I. Watts.

Meanness <Xpage=905>

Mean"ness , n. 1. The condition, or quality, of being mean; want of excellence; poorness; lowness; baseness; sordidness; stinginess.

This figure is of a later date, by the meanness of the workmanship. Addison.

2. A mean act; as, to be guilty of meanness .

Goldsmith.

Mean-spirited <Xpage=905>

Mean"-spir`it*ed (?) , a. Of a mean spirit; base; groveling. -- Mean"-spir`it*ed*ness , n.

Meant <Xpage=905>

Meant (?) , imp. & p. p. of Mean .

Meantime, Meanwhile <Xpage=905>

Mean"time` (?) , Mean"while` (?) , n. The intervening time; as, in the meantime (or mean time ) .

Meantime, Meanwhile <Xpage=905>

Mean"time` , Mean"while` , adv. In the intervening time; during the interval.

Mear <Xpage=905>

Mear (?) , n. A boundary. See Mere . [Obs.]

Mease <Xpage=905>

Mease (?) , n. [Cf. G. mass measure.] Five hundred; as, a mease of herrings . [Prov. Eng.]

Measelry <Xpage=905>

Mea"sel*ry (?) , n. [OE. meselrie , OF. mesellerie . See lst Measle .] Leprosy. [Obs.]

R. of Brunne.

Measle <Xpage=905>

Mea"sle (?) , n. [OE. mesel , OF. mesel , LL. misellus , L. misellus unfortunate, dim. of miser . See Miser .] A leper. [Obs.] [Written also meazel , and mesel .]

Wyclif (Matt. x. 8. ).

Measle <Xpage=905>

Mea"sle , n. (Zo\'94l.) A tapeworm larva. See 2d Measles , 4.

Measled <Xpage=905>

Mea"sled (?) , a. [See 2d Measles .] Infected or spotted with measles, as pork. -- Mea"sled*ness , n.

Measles <Xpage=905>

Mea"sles (?) , n. [From lst Measle .] Leprosy; also, a leper. [Obs.]

Measles <Xpage=905>

Mea"sles , n. ; pl. in form, but used as singular in senses 1, 2, & 3 . [D. mazelen ; akin to G. masern , pl., and E. mazer , and orig. meaning, little spots. See Mazer .]

1. (Med.) A contagious febrile disorder commencing with catarrhal symptoms, and marked by the appearance on the third day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots, which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised above the surface, and after the fourth day of the eruption gradually decline; rubeola.

Measles commences with the ordinary symptoms of fever. Am. Cyc.

<page="906"> Page 906

2. (Veter. Med.) A disease of cattle and swine in which the flesh is filled with the embryos of different varieties of the tapeworm.

3. A disease of trees. [Obs.]

4. pl. (Zo\'94l.) The larv\'91 of any tapeworm ( T\'91nia ) in the cysticerus stage, when contained in meat. Called also bladder worms .

Measly <Xpage=906>

Mea"sly (?) , a. 1. Infected with measles.

2. (Zo\'94l.) Containing larval tapeworms; -- said of pork and beef.

Measurable <Xpage=906>

Meas"ur*a*ble (?) , a. [F. mesurable , L. mensurabilis . See Measure , and cf. Mensurable .]

1. Capable of being measured; susceptible of mensuration or computation.

2. Moderate; temperate; not excessive.

Of his diet measurable was he. Chaucer.

-- Meas"ur*a*ble*ness , n. -- Meas"ur*a*bly , adv.

Yet do it measurably , as it becometh Christians. Latimer.

Measure <Xpage=906>

Meas"ure (?) , n. [OE. mesure , F. mesure , L. mensura , fr. metiri , mensus , to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure, Gr. <?/, E. meter . Cf. Immense , Mensuration , Mete 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.

2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.

False ells and measures be brought all clean adown. R. of Gloucester.

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 .

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. Job xi. 9.

4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited quantity or amount.

It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal. Luke xiii. 21.

5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds; moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in measure ; with measure ; without or beyond measure .

Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure . Is. v. 14.

6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due proportion.

Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days. Ps. xxxix. 4.

7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying and selling; as, to give good or full measure .

8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree.

There is a great measure of discretion to be used in the performance of confession. Jer. Taylor.

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 dane, 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 Beat , Triple , Quadruple , Sextuple , Compound time , under Compound , a. , and Figure . (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 .

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.

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 .

His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken in the conferring that trust, and lamented his error. Clarendon.

12. The act of measuring; measurement.

Shak.

13. pl. (Geol.) Beds or strata; as, coal measures ; lead measures .

Lineal , &or; Long , measure , measure of length; the measure of lines or distances. -- Liquid measure , the measure of liquids. -- Square measure , the measure of superficial area of surfaces in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc. -- To have hard measure , to have harsh treatment meted out to one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with. -- To take measures , to make preparations; to provide means. -- To take one's measure , to measure one, as for a garment; hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character, ability, etc. -- To tread a measure , to dance in the style so called. See 9 (a) .

Say to her, we have measured many miles To tread a measure with her on this grass. Shak.

Measure <Xpage=906>

Meas"ure , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Measured (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Measuring .] [F. mesurer , L. mensurare . See Measure , 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.

Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite Thy power! what thought can measure thee? Milton.

2. To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures changes of temperature .

3. To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off and determining the distance.

A true devoted pilgrim is not weary To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps. Shak.

4. To adjust by a rule or standard.

To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires. Jer. Taylor.

5. To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by measure; -- often with out or off .

With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matt. vii. 2.

That portion of eternity which is called time, measured out by the sun. Addison.

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.

Measure <Xpage=906>

Meas"ure (?) , v. i. 1. To make a measurement or measurements.

2. To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measure unequally.

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.

Measured <Xpage=906>

Meas"ured (?) , 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. -- Meas"ured*ly , adv.

Measureless <Xpage=906>

Meas"ure*less (?) , a. Without measure; unlimited; immeasurable. -- Meas"ure*less*ness , n.

Syn. -- Boundless; limitless; endless; unbounded; unlimited; vast; immense; infinite; immeasurable.

<-- Where Alf, the sacred river ran, Through canyons measureless to man, Down to a hidden sea. Coleridge -->

Measurement <Xpage=906>

Meas"ure*ment (?) , n. 1. The act or result of measuring; mensuration; as, measurement is required .

2. The extent, size, capacity, amount. or quantity ascertained by measuring; as, its measurement is five acres .

Measurer <Xpage=906>

Meas"ur*er (?) , n. One who measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure commondities in market.

Measuring <Xpage=906>

Meas"ur*ing , a. Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or dividing by measure.

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. -- Measuring worm (Zo\'94l.) , the larva of any geometrid moth. See Geometrid .

Meat <Xpage=906>

Meat (?) , n. [OE. mete , AS. mete ; akin to OS. mat , meti , D. met hashed meat, G. mett wurst sausage, OHG. maz food, Icel. matr , Sw. mat , Dan. mad , Goth. mats . Cf. Mast fruit, Mush .] 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.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, . . . to you it shall be for meat . Gen. i. 29.

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you. Gen. ix. 3.

2. The flesh of animals used as food; esp., animal muscle; as, a breakfast of bread and fruit without meat .

3. Specifically, dinner; the chief meal. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Meat biscuit . See under Biscuit . -- Meat earth (Mining) , vegetable mold. Raymond . -- Meat fly . (Zo\'94l.) See Flesh fly , under Flesh . -- Meat offering (Script.) , an offering of food, esp. of a cake made of flour with salt and oil. -- To go to meat , to go to a meal. [Obs.] -- To sit at meat , to sit at the table in taking food.

Meat <Xpage=906>

Meat , v. t. To supply with food. [Obs.]

Tusser.

His shield well lined, his horses meated well. Chapman.

Meatal <Xpage=906>

Me*a"tal (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a meatus; resembling a meatus.

Owen.

Meated <Xpage=906>

Meat"ed (?) , a. 1. Fed; fattened. [Obs.]

Tusser.

2. Having (such) meat; -- used chiefly in composition; as, thick- meated .

Meath, Meathe <Xpage=906>

Meath , Meathe (?) , n. [See Mead .] A sweet liquor; mead. [Obs.]

Chaucer. Milton.

Meatiness <Xpage=906>

Meat"i*ness (?) , n. Quality of being meaty.

Meatless <Xpage=906>

Meat"less , a. Having no meat; without food.

"Leave these beggars meatless ." Sir T. More.

Meatoscope <Xpage=906>

Me*at"o*scope (?) , n. [ Meatus + -scope .] (Med.) A speculum for examining a natural passage, as the urethra.

Meatotome <Xpage=906>

Me*at"o*tome (?) , n. [ Meatus + Gr. <?/ to cut.] (Surg.) An instrument for cutting into the urethra so as to enlarge its orifice.

Meatus <Xpage=906>

Me*a"tus (?) , 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 Ear .

Meaty <Xpage=906>

Meat"y (?) , a. Abounding in meat.

Meaw <Xpage=906>

Meaw (?) , n. The sea mew. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Meaw <Xpage=906>

Meaw , v. i. See Mew , to cry as a cat.

Meawl <Xpage=906>

Meawl (?) , v. i. See Mewl , and Miaul .

Meazel <Xpage=906>

Mea"zel (?) , n. See 1st Measle . [Obs.]

Meazling <Xpage=906>

Meaz"ling (?) , a. Falling in small drops; mistling; mizzing. [Obs.]

Arbuthnot.

Mebles <Xpage=906>

Me"bles (?) , n. pl. See Moebles . [Obs.]

Mecate <Xpage=906>

Me*ca"te (?) , n. [Sp.] A rope of hair or of maguey fiber, for tying horses, etc. [Southwestern U. S.]

Meccawee <Xpage=906>