Chapter 971

Me*tab"o*lite (?) , n. (Physiol Chem.) A product of metabolism; a substance produced by metabolic action, as urea.

Metabolize <Xpage=916>

Me*tab"o*lize (?) , v. t. & i. (Physiol.) To change by a metabolic process. See Metabolism .

Metabranchial <Xpage=916>

Met`a*bran"chi*al (?) , a. [ Meta- + branchial .] (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the lobe of the carapace of crabs covering the posterior branchi\'91.

Metacarpal <Xpage=916>

Met`a*car"pal (?) , a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the metacarpus. -- n. A metacarpal bone.

Metacarpus <Xpage=916>

Met`a*car"pus (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/; <?/ beyond, between + <?/ the wrist.] (Anat.) That part of the skeleton of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and phalanges. In man it consists of five bones. See Illust . of Artiodactyla .

Metacenter &or; -tre <Xpage=916>

Met`a*cen"ter (?) &or; -tre , n. [Pref. meta- + center .] (Hydrostatics) The point of intersection of a vertical line through the center of gravity of the fluid displaced by a floating body which is tipped through a small angle from its position of equilibrium, and the inclined line which was vertical through the center of gravity of the body when in equilibrium.

&hand; When the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the position of the body is stable; when below it, unstable.

Metacetone <Xpage=916>

Me*tac"e*tone (?) , n. [Pref. met- + acetone .] (Chem.) A colorless liquid of an agreeable odor, C6H10O , obtained by distilling a mixture of sugar and lime; -- so called because formerly regarded as a polymeric modification of acetone.

Metachloral <Xpage=916>

Met`a*chlo"ral (?) , n. [Pref. meta- + chloral .] (Chem.) A white, amorphous, insoluble substance regarded as a polymeric variety of chloral.

Metachronism <Xpage=916>

Me*tach"ro*nism (?) , n. [Gr. <?/, <?/, after the time, happening afterward; <?/ beyond + <?/ time: cf. F. m\'82tachronisme .] An error committed in chronology by placing an event after its real time.

Metachrosis <Xpage=916>

Met`a*chro"sis (?) , n. [NL., from Gr. <?/ beyond + <?/ a coloring.] (Biol.) The power og changing color at will by the expansion of special pigment cells, under nerve influence, as seen in many reptiles, fishes, etc.

Cope.

Metacinnabarite <Xpage=916>

Met`a*cin"na*bar*ite (?) , n. [Pref. meta- + cinnabar .] (Min.) Sulphide of mercury in isometric form and black in color.

Metacism <Xpage=916>

Met"a*cism (?) , n. [L. metacismus , Gr. <?/ fondness for the letter <?/.] A defect in pronouncing the letter m , or a too frequent use of it.

Metacrolein <Xpage=916>

Met`a*cro"le*in (?) , n. [Pref. met- + acrolein .] (Chem.) A polymeric modification of acrolein obtained by heating it with caustic potash. It is a crystalline substance having an aromatic odor.

Metacromion <Xpage=916>

Met`a*cro"mi*on (?) , n. [NL.] (Anat.) A process projecting backward and downward from the acromion of the scapula of some mammals.

Metadiscoidal <Xpage=916>

Met`a*dis*coid"al (?) , a. [ Meta- + discoidal .] (Anat.) Discoidal by derivation; -- applied especially to the placenta of man and apes, because it is supposed to have been derived from a diffused placenta.

Metagastric <Xpage=916>

Met`a*gas"tric (?) , a. [Pref. meta- + gastric .] (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the two posterior gastric lobes of the carapace of crabs.

Metage <Xpage=916>

Met"age (?; 48) , n. [From Mete , v. ] 1. Measurement, especially of coal.

De Foe.

2. Charge for, or price of, measuring.

Simmonds.

Metagenesis <Xpage=916>

Met`a*gen"e*sis (?) , n. [Pref. meta- + genesis .] 1. (Biol.) The change of form which one animal species undergoes in a series of successively produced individuals, extending from the one developed from the ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual means, either directly or through intervening sexless generations. Opposed to monogenesis . See Alternate generation , under Generation .

2. (Biol.) Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous generations; -- in distinction from heterogamy .

<page="917"> Page 917

Metagenetic <Xpage=917>

Met`a*ge*net"ic (?) , a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to metagenesis.

Metagenic <Xpage=917>

Met`a*gen"ic (?) , a. (Biol.) Metagenetic.

Metagnathous <Xpage=917>

Me*tag"na*thous (?) , a. [Pref. meta- + Gr. <?/ the jaw.] (Zo\'94l.) Cross-billed; -- said of certain birds, as the crossbill.

Metagrammatism <Xpage=917>

Met`a*gram"ma*tism (?) , n. Anagrammatism.

Metagraphic <Xpage=917>

Met`a*graph"ic (?) , a. By or pertaining to metagraphy.

Metagraphy <Xpage=917>

Me*tag"ra*phy (?) , n. [Pref. meta- + -graphy .] The art or act of rendering the letters of the alphabet of one language into the possible equivalents of another; transliteration.

Stormonth.

Metal <Xpage=917>

Met"al (? &or; ?; 277) , n. [F. m\'82tal , L. metallum metal, mine, Gr. <?/ mine; cf. Gr. <?/ to search after. Cf. Mettle , Medal .] 1. (Chem.) An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc.

&hand; Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc.

2. Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so called by miners.

Raymond.

3. A mine from which ores are taken. [Obs.]

Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals . Jer. Taylor.

4. The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper.

Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. Shak.

5. Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle .

Shak.

&hand; The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword blade.

Skeat.

6. The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads.

7. The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel of war.

8. Glass in a state of fusion.

Knight.

9. pl. The rails of a railroad. [Eng.]

Base metal (Chem.) , any one of the metals, as iron, lead, etc., which are readily tarnished or oxidized, in contrast with the noble metals. In general, a metal of small value, as compared with gold or silver. -- Fusible metal (Metal.) , a very fusible alloy, usually consisting of bismuth with lead, tin, or cadmium. -- Heavy metals (Chem.) , the metallic elements not included in the groups of the alkalies, alkaline earths, or the earths; specifically, the heavy metals, as gold, mercury, platinum, lead, silver, etc. -- Light metals (Chem.) , the metallic elements of the alkali and alkaline earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.; also, sometimes, the metals of the earths, as aluminium. -- Muntz metal , an alloy for sheathing and other purposes, consisting of about sixty per cent of copper, and forty of zinc. Sometimes a little lead is added. It is named from the inventor. -- Prince's metal (Old Chem.) , an alloy resembling brass, consisting of three parts of copper to one of zinc; -- also called Prince Rupert's metal .

Metal <Xpage=917>

Met"al , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Metaled (? &or; ?) or Metalled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Metaling or Metalling .] To cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to metal a road.

Metalammonium <Xpage=917>

Met`al*am*mo"ni*um (?) , n. [ Metal + ammonium .] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical derived from ammonium by the substitution of metallic atoms in place of hydrogen.

Metalbumin <Xpage=917>

Met`al*bu"min (?) , n. [Pref. met- + albumin .] (Physiol. Chem.) A form of albumin found in ascitic and certain serous fluids. It is sometimes regarded as a mixture of albumin and mucin.

Metaldehyde <Xpage=917>

Me*tal"de*hyde (?) , n. [Pref. met- + aldehyde .] (Chem.) A white crystalline substance isomeric with, and obtained from, acetic aldehyde by polymerization, and reconvertible into the same.

Metalepsis <Xpage=917>

Met`a*lep"sis (?) , n. ; pl. Metalepses (#) . [L., fr. Gr. <?/ participation, alteration, fr. <?/ to partake, to take in exchange; <?/ beyond + <?/ to take.] (Rhet.) The continuation of a trope in one word through a succession of significations, or the union of two or more tropes of a different kind in one word.

Metalepsy <Xpage=917>

Met"a*lep`sy (?) , n. (Chem.) Exchange; replacement; substitution; metathesis. [R.]

Metaleptic <Xpage=917>

Met`a*lep"tic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/] 1. Of or pertaining to a metalepsis.

2. Transverse; as, the metaleptic motion of a muscle .

3. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, concerned in, or occurring by, metalepsy.

Metaleptical <Xpage=917>

Met`a*lep"tic*al (?) , a. Metaleptic. -- Met`a*lep"tic*al*ly , adv.

Metallic <Xpage=917>

Me*tal"lic (?) , a. [L. metallicus , fr. metallum : cf. F. m\'82tallique . See Metal .] 1. Of or pertaining to a metal; of the nature of metal; resembling metal; as, a metallic appearance; a metallic alloy.

2. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, the essential and implied properties of a metal, as contrasted with a nonmetal or metalloid; basic; antacid; positive. <-- conductive of electricity is now one of the most characteristic properties, and form cations by loss of electrons -->

Metallic iron , iron in the state of the metal, as distinquished from its ores, as magnetic iron. -- Metallic paper , paper covered with a thin solution of lime, whiting, and size. When written upon with a pewter or brass pencil, the lines can hardly be effaced. -- Metallic tinking (Med.) , a sound heard in the chest, when a cavity communicating with the air passages contains both air and liquid.

Metallical <Xpage=917>

Me*tal"lic*al (?) , a. See Metallic . [Obs.]

Metallicly <Xpage=917>

Me*tal"lic*ly (?) , adv. In a metallic manner; by metallic means.

Metallifacture <Xpage=917>

Me*tal`li*fac"ture (?; 135) , n. [L. metallum metal + facere , factum , to make.] The production and working or manufacture of metals. [R.]

R. Park.

Metalliferous <Xpage=917>

Met`al*lif"er*ous (?) , a. [L. metallifer ; metallum metal + ferre to bear: cf. F. m\'82tallif\'8are .] Producing metals; yielding metals.

Metalliform <Xpage=917>

Me*tal"li*form (?) , a. [L. metallum metal + -form : cf. F. m\'82talliforme .] Having the form or structure of a metal.

Metalline <Xpage=917>

Met"al*line (?) , a. [Cf. F. m\'82tallin .] (Chem.) (a) Pertaining to, or resembling, a metal; metallic; as, metalline properties . (b) Impregnated with metallic salts; chalybeate; as, metalline water . [R.]

Metalline <Xpage=917>

Met"al*line (? &or; ?) , n. (Chem.) A substance of variable composition, but resembling a soft, dark-colored metal, used in the bearings of machines for obviating friction, and as a substitute for lubricants.

Metallist <Xpage=917>

Met"al*list (?) , n. A worker in metals, or one skilled in metals.

Metallization <Xpage=917>

Met`al*li*za"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. m\'82tallisation .] The act or process of metallizing. [R.]

Metallize <Xpage=917>

Met"al*lize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Metallized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Metallizing (?) .] [Cf. F. m\'82talliser .] To impart metallic properties to; to impregnate with a metal. [R.]

Metallochrome <Xpage=917>

Me*tal"lo*chrome (?) , n. [See Metallochromy .] A coloring produced by the deposition of some metallic compound; specifically, the prismatic tints produced by depositing a film of peroxide of lead on polished steel by electricity.

Metallochromy <Xpage=917>

Me*tal"lo*chro`my (?) , n. [L. metallum metal + Gr. <?/ color.] The art or process of coloring metals.

Metallograph <Xpage=917>

Me*tal"lo*graph (?) , n. [L. metallum metal + -graph .] A print made by metallography.

Metallographic <Xpage=917>

Me*tal`lo*graph"ic (?) , a. Pertaining to, or by means of, metallography.

Metallographist <Xpage=917>

Met`al*log"ra*phist (?) , n. One who writes on the subject of metals.

Metallography <Xpage=917>

Met`al*log"ra*phy (?) , n. [L. metallum metal + -graphy : cf. F. m\'82tallographie .] 1. The science or art of metals and metal working; also, a treatise on metals.

2. A method of transferring impressions of the grain of wood to metallic surfaces by chemical action.

Knight.

3. A substitute for lithography, in which metallic plates are used instead of stone.

Knight.

Metalloid <Xpage=917>

Met"al*loid (?) , n. [L. metallum metal + -oid : cf. F. m\'82tallo\'8bde .] (a) Formerly, the metallic base of a fixed alkali, or alkaline earth; -- applied by Sir H. Davy to sodium, potassium, and some other metallic substances whose metallic character was supposed to be not well defined. (b) Now, one of several elementary substances which in the free state are unlike metals, and whose compounds possess or produce acid, rather than basic, properties; a nonmetal; as, boron, carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, chlorine, bromine, etc. , are metalloids .

Metalloid <Xpage=917>

Met"al*loid , a. 1. Having the appearance of a metal.

2. (Chem.) Having the properties of a nonmetal; nonmetallic; acid; negative.

Metalloidal <Xpage=917>

Met`al*loid"al (?) , a. Metalloid.

Metallorganic <Xpage=917>

Met`al*lor*gan"ic (?) , a. Metalorganic.

Metallotherapy <Xpage=917>

Me*tal`lo*ther"a*py (?) , n. [L. metallum metal + E. therapy .] (Med.) Treatment of disease by applying metallic plates to the surface of the body.

Metallurgic, Metallurgical <Xpage=917>

Met`al*lur"gic (?) , Met`al*lur"gic*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. m\'82tallurgique .] Of or pertaining to metallurgy.

Metallurgist <Xpage=917>

Met"al*lur`gist (?) , n. [Cf. F. m\'82tallurgiste .] One who works in metals, or prepares them for use; one who is skilled in metallurgy.

Metallurgy <Xpage=917>

Met"al*lur`gy (?) , n. [F. m\'82tallurgie , fr. L. metallum metal, Gr. <?/ a mine + the root of <?/ work. See Metal , and Work .] The art of working metals, comprehending the whole process of separating them from other matters in the ore, smelting, refining, and parting them; sometimes, in a narrower sense, only the process of extracting metals from their ores.

Metalman <Xpage=917>

Met"al*man (?) , n. ; pl. Metalmen (<?/) . A worker in metals.

Metalogical <Xpage=917>

Met`a*log"ic*al (?) , a. Beyond the scope or province of logic.

Metalorganic <Xpage=917>

Met`al*or*gan"ic (?) , a. [ Metal , L. metallum + E. organic .] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of a series of compounds of certain metallic elements with organic radicals; as, zinc methyl, sodium ethyl, etc. [Written also metallorganic .]

Metamer <Xpage=917>

Met"a*mer (?) , n. [See Metamere .] (Chem.) Any one of several metameric forms of the same substance, or of different substances having the same composition; as, xylene has three metamers , viz ., orthoxylene, metaxylene, and paraxylene. <-- = isomer -->

Metamere <Xpage=917>

Met"a*mere (?) , n. [Pref. meta- + -mere .] (Biol.) One of successive or homodynamous parts in animals and plants; one of a series of similar parts that follow one another in a vertebrate or articulate animal, as in an earthworm; a segment; a somite. See Illust . of Loeven's larva .

Metameric <Xpage=917>

Met`a*mer"ic (?) , a. [Pref. meta- + Gr. <?/ part.] 1. (Chem.) Having the same elements united in the same proportion by weight, and with the same molecular weight, but possessing a different structure and different properties; as, methyl ether and ethyl alcohol are metameric compounds . See Isomeric .

&hand; The existence of metameric compounds is due to the different arrangement of the same constituents in the molecule.

2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to a metamere or its formation; as, metameric segmentation .

Metamerically <Xpage=917>

Met`a*mer"ic*al*ly , adv. In a metameric manner.

Metamerism <Xpage=917>

Me*tam"er*ism (?) , n. 1. (Biol.) The symmetry of a metameric structure; serial symmetry; the state of being made up of metameres.

2. (Chem.) The state or quality of being metameric; also, the relation or condition of metameric compounds.

Metamorphic <Xpage=917>

Met`a*mor"phic (?) , a. [See Metamorphosis .] 1. Subject to change; changeable; variable.

2. Causing a change of structure.

3. (Geol.) Pertaining to, produced by, or exhibiting, certain changes which minerals or rocks may have undergone since their original deposition; -- especially applied to the recrystallization which sedimentary rocks have undergone through the influence of heat and pressure, after which they are called metamorphic rocks.

Metamorphism <Xpage=917>

Met`a*mor"phism (?) , n. (Geol.) The state or quality of being metamorphic; the process by which the material of rock masses has been more or less recrystallized by heat, pressure, etc., as in the change of sedimentary limestone to marble.

Murchison.

Metamorphist <Xpage=917>

Met`a*mor"phist (?) , n. (Eccl.) One who believes that the body of Christ was merged into the Deity when he ascended.

Metamorphize <Xpage=917>

Met`a*mor"phize (?) , v. t. To metamorphose.

Metamorphose <Xpage=917>