Chapter 974

Meth"od*ize (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Methodized (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Methodizing (?) .] To reduce to method; to dispose in due order; to arrange in a convenient manner; as, to methodize one's work or thoughts .

Spectator.

Methodizer <Xpage=919>

Meth"od*i`zer (?) , n. One who methodizes.

Methodological <Xpage=919>

Meth`od*o*log"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to methodology.

Methodology <Xpage=919>

Meth`od*ol"o*gy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ method + -logy .] The science of method or arrangement; a treatise on method.

Coleridge.

Methol <Xpage=919>

Meth"ol (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ wine + -ol .] (Chem.) The technical name of methyl alcohol or wood spirit; also, by extension, the class name of any of the series of alcohols of the methane series of which methol proper is the type. See Methyl alcohol , under Methyl .

Methought <Xpage=919>

Me*thought" (?) , imp. of Methinks .

Methoxyl <Xpage=919>

Meth*ox"yl (?) , n. [ Meth yl + hydr oxyl .] (Chem.) A hypothetical radical, CH3O , analogous to hydroxyl.

Methyl <Xpage=919>

Meth"yl (?) , n. [See Methylene .] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical, CH3 , not existing alone but regarded as an essential residue of methane, and appearing as a component part of many derivatives; as, methyl alcohol, methyl ether, methyl amine, etc. [Formerly written also methule , methyle , etc.]

Methyl alcohol (Chem.) , a light, volatile, inflammable liquid, CH3.OH , obtained by the distillation of wood, and hence called wood spirit <-- wood alcohol -->; -- called also methol , carbinol , etc. -- Methyl amine (Chem.) , a colorless, inflammable, alkaline gas, CH3.NH2 , having an ammoniacal, fishy odor. It is produced artificially, and also occurs naturally in herring brine and other fishy products. It is regarded as ammonia in which a third of its hydrogen is replaced by methyl, and is a type of the class of substituted ammonias . -- Methyl ether (Chem.) , a light, volatile ether CH3.O.CH3 , obtained by the etherification of methyl alcohol; -- called also methyl oxide . -- Methyl green . (Chem.) See under Green , n. -- Methyl orange . (Chem.) See Helianthin . -- Methyl violet (Chem.) , an artificial dye, consisting of certain methyl halogen derivatives of rosaniline.

Methylal <Xpage=919>

Meth"yl*al (?) , n. [ Methyl ene + al cohol.] (Chem.) A light, volatile liquid, H2C(OCH3)2 , regarded as a complex ether, and having a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the partial oxidation of methyl alcohol. Called also formal .

Methylamine <Xpage=919>

Meth`yl*am"ine (? &or; ?) , n. (Chem.) See Methyl amine , under Methyl .

Methylate <Xpage=919>

Meth"yl*ate (?) , n. [ Methyl + alcohol ate .] (Chem.) An alcoholate of methyl alcohol in which the hydroxyl hydrogen is replaced by a metal, after the analogy of a hydrate; as, sodium methylate , CH3ONa .

Methylate <Xpage=919>

Meth"yl*ate (?) , v. t. To impregnate or mix with methyl or methyl alcohol.

Methylated <Xpage=919>

Meth"yl*a`ted (?) , a. (Chem.) Impregnated with, or containing, methyl alcohol or wood spirit; as, methylated spirits .

Methylene <Xpage=919>

Meth"yl*ene (?) , n. [F. m\'82thyl\'8ane , from Gr. <?/ wine + <?/ wood; -- a word coined to correspond to the name wood spirit .] (Chem.) A hydrocarbon radical, CH2 , not known in the free state, but regarded as an essential residue and component of certain derivatives of methane; as, methylene bromide, CH2Br2 ; -- formerly called also methene .

Methylene blue (Chem.) , an artificial dyestuff consisting of a complex sulphur derivative of diphenyl amine; -- called also pure blue .

Methylic <Xpage=919>

Me*thyl"ic (?) , a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, methyl; specifically, designating methyl alcohol. See under Methyl .

Methysticin <Xpage=919>

Me*thys"ti*cin (?) , n. (Chem.) A white, silky, crystalline substance extracted from the thick rootstock of a species of pepper ( Piper methysticum ) of the South Sea Islands; -- called also kanakin .

Metic <Xpage=919>

Met"ic (? &or; ?; 277) , n. [Gr. <?/, prop., changing one's abode; <?/, indicating change + <?/ house, abode: cf. L. metoecus , F. m\'82t\'8aque .] (Gr. Antiq.) A sojourner; an immigrant; an alien resident in a Grecian city, but not a citizen.

Mitford.

The whole force of Athens, metics as well as citizens, and all the strangers who were then in the city. Jowett (Thucyd. ).

Meticulous <Xpage=919>

Me*tic"u*lous (?) , a. [L. meticulosus , fr. metus fear: cf. F. m\'82ticuleux .] Timid; fearful.

-- Me*tic"u*lous*ly , adv.

M\'82tif, n. m. M\'82tive <Xpage=919>

M\'82`tif" (?) , n. m. M\'82`tive" (?) , n. f. [F.] See M\'82tis .

M\'82tis, n. m. M\'82tisse <Xpage=919>

M\'82`tis" (?) , n. m. M\'82`tisse" (?) , n. f. [F.; akin to Sp. mestizo . See Mestizo .] 1. The offspring of a white person and an American Indian.

2. The offspring of a white person and a quadroon; an octoroon. [Local, U. S.]

Bartlett.

Metoche <Xpage=919>

Met"o*che (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ a sharing, fr. <?/ to share in; <?/ with + <?/ to have.] (Arch.) (a) The space between two dentils. (b) The space between two triglyphs.

Metonic <Xpage=919>

Me*ton"ic (?) , a. [Cf. F. m\'82tonique .] Pertaining to, or discovered by, Meton , the Athenian.

Metonic cycle &or; year . (Astron.) See under Cycle .

Metonymic, Metonymical <Xpage=919>

Met`o*nym"ic (?) , Met`o*nym"ic*al (?) , a. [See Metonymy .] Used by way of metonymy. -- Met`o*nym"ic*al*ly , adv.

Metonymy <Xpage=919>

Me*ton"y*my (?; 277) , n. [L. metonymia , Gr. <?/; <?/, indicating change + <?/ , for <?/ a name: cf. F. m\'82tonymie . See Name .] (Rhet.) A trope in which one word is put for another that suggests it; as, we say, a man keeps a good table instead of good provisions ; we read Virgil , that is, his poems ; a man has a warm heart , that is, warm affections .

Metope <Xpage=919>

Met"o*pe (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/; <?/ with, between + <?/ opening, hole, the hole in the frieze between the beam ends.] 1. (Arch.) The space between two triglyphs of the Doric frieze, which, among the ancients, was often adorned with carved work. See Illust . of Entablature .

2. (Zo\'94l.) The face of a crab.

&hand; In the Parthenon, groups of centaurs and heroes in high relief occupy the metopes.

Metopic <Xpage=919>

Me*top"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ the forehead.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the forehead or frontal bones; frontal; as, the metopic suture .

Metopomancy <Xpage=919>

Met"o*po*man`cy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ the forehead + -mancy .] Fortune telling by physiognomy. [R.]

Urquhart.

Metoposcopic, Metoposcopical <Xpage=919>

Met`o*po*scop"ic (?) , Met`o*po*scop"ic*al (?) , a. Of or relating to metoposcopy.

Metoposcopist <Xpage=919>

Met`o*pos"co*pist (?) , n. One versed in metoposcopy.

Metoposcopy <Xpage=919>

Met`o*pos"co*py (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ observing the forehead; <?/ the forehead + <?/ to view: cf. F. m\'82toposcopie .] The study of physiognomy; the art of discovering the character of persons by their features, or the lines of the face.

Metosteon <Xpage=919>

Me*tos"te*on (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ after + <?/ bone.] (Anat.) The postero-lateral ossification in the sternum of birds; also, the part resulting from such ossification.

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Metre <Xpage=920>

Me"tre (?) , n. See Meter .

Metric <Xpage=920>

Met"ric (?) , a. [L. metricus , Gr. <?/: cf. F. m\'82trique . See Meter rhythm.]

1. Relating to measurement; involving, or proceeding by, measurement.

2. Of or pertaining to the meter as a standard of measurement; of or pertaining to the decimal system of measurement of which a meter is the unit; as, the metric system; a metric measurement.

Metric analysis (Chem.) , analysis by volume; volumetric analysis. -- Metric system , a system of weights and measures originating in France, the use of which is required by law in many countries, and permitted in many others, including the United States and England. The principal unit is the meter (see Meter ). From this are formed the are , the liter , the stere , the gram , etc. These units, and others derived from them, are divided decimally, and larger units are formed from multiples by 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000. The successive multiplies are designated by the prefixes, deca- , hecto- , kilo- , and myria- ; successive parts by deci- , centi- , and milli- . The prefixes mega- and micro- are sometimes used to denote a multiple by one million, and the millionth part, respectively. See the words formed with these prefixes in the Vocabulary. For metric tables , see p. 1682. <-- nano-, pico-, femto-, atto-; giga-, tera, etc. -->

Metrical <Xpage=920>

Met"ric*al (?) , a. 1. Of or pertaining to the meter; arranged in meter; consisting of verses; as, metrical compositions .

2. Of or pertaining to measurement; as, the inch, foot, yard, etc. , are metrical terms; esp., of or pertaining to the metric system.

Metrically <Xpage=920>

Met"ric*al*ly , adv. In a metrical manner.

Metrician <Xpage=920>

Me*tri"cian (?) , n. [Cf. F. m\'82tricien . See Meter rhythm.] A composer of verses. [Obs.]

Metric system <Xpage=920>

Met"ric sys"tem (?) . See Metric , a.

Metrification <Xpage=920>

Met`ri*fi*ca"tion (?) , n. Composition in metrical form; versification. [R.]

Tennyson.

Metrify <Xpage=920>

Met"ri*fy (?) , v. i. [L. metrum meter + -fy : cf. F. m\'82trifier .] To make verse. [R.]

Skelton.

Metrist <Xpage=920>

Me"trist (?) , n. A maker of verses.

Bale.

Spenser was no mere metrist , but a great composer. Lowell.

Metritis <Xpage=920>

Me*tri"tis (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ womb + -tis .] (Med.) Inflammation of the womb.

Metrochrome <Xpage=920>

Met"ro*chrome (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ + <?/ color.] An instrument for measuring colors.

Metrograph <Xpage=920>

Met"ro*graph (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ measure + -graph .] An instrument attached to a locomotive for recording its speed and the number and duration of its stops.

Metrological <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*log"ic*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. m\'82trologique .] Of or pertaining to metrology.

Metrology <Xpage=920>

Me*trol"o*gy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ measure + -m\'82trologie .] The science of, or a system of, weights and measures; also, a treatise on the subject.

Metromania <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*ma"ni*a (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ measure + E. mania .] A mania for writing verses.

Metromaniac <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*ma"ni*ac (?) , n. One who has metromania.

Metrometer <Xpage=920>

Me*trom"e*ter (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ womb + -meter .] (Med.) An instrument for measuring the size of the womb.

Knight.

Metronome <Xpage=920>

Met"ro*nome (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ measure + <?/ distribute, assign: cf. F. m\'82tronome , It. metronomo .] An instrument consisting of a short pendulum with a sliding weight. It is set in motion by clockwork, and serves to measure time in music.

Metronomy <Xpage=920>

Me*tron"o*my (?) , n. [See Metronome .] Measurement of time by an instrument.

Metronymic <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*nym"ic (?) , a. [Gr. <?/; <?/ mother + <?/, for <?/ name.] Derived from the name of one's mother, or other female ancestor; as, a metronymic name or appellation . -- A metronymic appellation.

Metropole <Xpage=920>

Met"ro*pole (?) , n. [Cf. F. m\'82tropole . See Metropolis .] A metropolis. [Obs.]

Holinshed.

Metropolis <Xpage=920>

Me*trop"o*lis (?) , n. [L. metropolis , Gr. <?/, prop., the mother city (in relation to colonies); <?/ mother + <?/ city. See Mother , and Police .]

1. The mother city; the chief city of a kingdom, state, or country.

[Edinburgh] gray metropolis of the North. Tennyson.

2. (Eccl.) The seat, or see, of the metropolitan, or highest church dignitary.

The great metropolis and see of Rome. Shak.

Metropolitan <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*pol"i*tan (?; 277) , a. [L. metropolitanus : cf. F. m\'82tropolitain .]

1. Of or pertaining to the capital or principal city of a country; as, metropolitan luxury .

2. (Eccl.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a metropolitan or the presiding bishop of a country or province, his office, or his dignity; as, metropolitan authority . "Bishops metropolitan ."

Sir T. More.

Metropolitan <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*pol"i*tan , n. [LL. metropolitanus .]

1. The superior or presiding bishop of a country or province.

2. (Lat. Church.) An archbishop.

3. (Gr. Church) A bishop whose see is civil metropolis. His rank is intermediate between that of an archbishop and a patriarch.

Hook.

Metropolitanate <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*pol"i*tan*ate (?) , n. The see of a metropolitan bishop.

Milman.

Metropolite <Xpage=920>

Me*trop"o*lite (?) , n. [L. metropolita , Gr. <?/.] A metropolitan.

Barrow.

Metropolitical <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*po*lit"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a metropolis; being a metropolis; metropolitan; as, the metropolitical chair .

Bp. Hall.

Metrorrhagia <Xpage=920>

Met`ror*rha"gi*a (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ womb + <?/ to break.] (Med.) Profuse bleeding from the womb, esp. such as does not occur at the menstrual period.

Metroscope <Xpage=920>

Met"ro*scope (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ womb + -scope .] A modification of the stethoscope, for directly auscultating the uterus from the vagina.

Metrosideros <Xpage=920>

Met`ro*si*de"ros (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ heart of a tree + <?/ iron.] (Bot.) A myrtaceous genus of trees or shrubs, found in Australia and the South Sea Islands, and having very hard wood. Metrosideros vera is the true ironwood.

Metrotome <Xpage=920>

Met"ro*tome (?) , n. [See Metrotomy .] (Surg.) An instrument for cutting or scarifying the uterus or the neck of the uterus.

Metrotomy <Xpage=920>

Me*trot"o*my (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ womb + <?/ to cut: cf. F. m\'82trotomie .] (Surg.) The operation of cutting into the uterus; hysterotomy; the C\'91sarean section.

-metry <Xpage=920>

-me*try (?) . [See -meter .] A suffix denoting the art , process , or science , of measuring ; as, acid metry , chloro metry , chrono metry .

Mette <Xpage=920>

Mette (?) , obs. imp. of Mete , to dream. Chaucer.

Mettle <Xpage=920>

Met"tle (?) , n. [E. metal , used in a tropical sense in allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See Metal .] Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition; -- usually in a good sense.

A certain critical hour which shall... try what mettle his heart is made of. South.

Gentlemen of brave mettle . Shak.

The winged courser, like a generous horse, Shows most true mettle when you check his course. Pope.

To put one one's mettle , to cause or incite one to use one's best efforts.

Mettled <Xpage=920>

Met"tled (?) , a. Having mettle; high-spirited; ardent; full of fire.

Addison.

Mettlesome <Xpage=920>

Met"tle*some (?) , a. Full of spirit; possessing constitutional ardor; fiery; as, a mettlesome horse .

-- Met"tle*some*ly , adv. -- Met"tle*some*ness , n.

Meute <Xpage=920>

Meute (?) , n. A cage for hawks; a mew. See 4th Mew , 1.

Milman.

Meve <Xpage=920>

Meve (?) , v. t. & i. To move. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Mew <Xpage=920>

Mew (?) , n. [AS. m<?/w , akin to D. meeuw , G. m\'94we , OHG. m<?/h , Icel. m\'ber .] (Zo\'94l.) A gull, esp. the common British species ( Larus canus ); called also sea mew , maa , mar , mow , and cobb .

Mew <Xpage=920>

Mew , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Mewed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Mewing .] [OE. muen , F. muer , fr. L. mutare to change, fr. movere to move. See Move , and cf. Mew a cage, Molt .] To shed or cast; to change; to molt; as, the hawk mewed his feathers .

Nine times the moon had mewed her horns. Dryden.

Mew <Xpage=920>

Mew , v. i. To cast the feathers; to molt; hence, to change; to put on a new appearance.

Now everything doth mew , And shifts his rustic winter robe. Turbervile.

Mew <Xpage=920>

Mew , n. [OE. mue , F. mue change of feathers, scales, skin, the time or place when the change occurs, fr. muer to molt, mew, L. mutare to change. See 2d Mew .]

1. A cage for hawks while mewing; a coop for fattening fowls; hence, any inclosure; a place of confinement or shelter; -- in the latter sense usually in the plural.

Full many a fat partrich had he in mewe . Chaucer.

Forthcoming from her darksome mew . Spenser.

Violets in their secret mews . Wordsworth.