Chapter 976

Microform <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*form (?) , n. [ Micro- + form , n.] (Biol.) A microscopic form of life; an animal or vegetable organism microscopic size.

Micro-geological <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro-ge`o*log"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to micro-geology.

Micro-geology <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro-ge*ol"o*gy (?) , n. [ Micro- + geology .] The part of geology relating to structure and organisms which require to be studied with a microscope.

Micrograph <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*graph (?) , n. [See Micrography .] An instrument for executing minute writing or engraving.

Micrographic <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*graph"ic (?) , a. Of or pertaining to micrography.

Micrography <Xpage=921>

Mi*crog"ra*phy (?) , n. [ Micro- + -graphy : cf. F. micrographie .] The description of microscopic objects.

Microhm <Xpage=921>

Mi*crohm" (?) , n. [ Micr- + ohm .] (Elec.) The millionth part of an ohm.

Microlepidoptera <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*lep`i*dop"te*ra (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Micro- , and Lepidoptera .] (Zo\'94l.) A tribe of Lepidoptera, including a vast number of minute species, as the plume moth, clothes moth, etc.

Microlestes <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*les"tes (?) , n. [NL., from Gr. <?/ small + <?/ a robber.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of small Triassic mammals, the oldest yet found in European strata.

Microlite <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*lite (?) , n. [ Micro- + -lite .] (Min.)

1. A rare mineral of resinous luster and high specific gravity. It is a tantalate of calcium, and occurs in octahedral crystals usually very minute.

2. (Min.) A minute inclosed crystal, often observed when minerals or rocks are examined in thin sections under the microscope.

Microlith <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*lith (?) , n. [ Micro- + lith .] (Min.) Same as Microlite , 2.

Microlithic <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*lith"ic (?) , a. Formed of small stones.

Micrologic, Micrological <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*log"ic (?) , Mi`cro*log"ic*al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to micrology; very minute; as, micrologic examination . -- Mi`cro*log"ic*al*ly , adv. <-- pref. = microscopic -->

Micrology <Xpage=921>

Mi*crol"o*gy (?) , n. [ Micro- + -logy .]

1. That part of science which treats of microscopic objects, or depends on microscopic observation.

2. Attention to petty items or differences.

W. Taylor.

Micromere <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*mere (?) , n. [ Micro- + -mere .] (Biol.) One of the smaller cells, or blastomeres, resulting from the complete segmentation of a telolecithal ovum.

Micrometer <Xpage=921>

Mi*crom"e*ter (?) , n. [ Micro- + -meter : cf. F. microm\'8atre .] An instrument, used with a telescope or microscope, for measuring minute distances, or the apparent diameters of objects which subtend minute angles. The measurement given directly is that of the image of the object formed at the focus of the object glass.

Circular, &or; Ring , micrometer , a metallic ring fixed in the focus of the object glass of a telescope, and used to determine differences of right ascension and declination between stars by observations of the times at which the stars cross the inner or outer periphery of the ring. -- Double image micrometer , a micrometer in which two images of an object are formed in the field, usually by the two halves of a bisected lens which are movable along their line of section by a screw, and distances are determined by the number of screw revolutions necessary to bring the points to be measured into optical coincidence. When the two images are formed by a bisected objects glass, it is called a divided-object-glass micrometer , and when the instrument is large and equatorially mounted, it is known as a heliometer . -- Double refraction micrometer , a species of double image micrometer, in which the two images are formed by the double refraction of rock crystal. -- Filar, &or; Bifilar , micrometer . See under Bifilar . -- Micrometer caliper &or; gauge (Mech.) , a caliper or gauge with a micrometer screw, for measuring dimensions with great accuracy. -- Micrometer head , the head of a micrometer screw. -- Micrometer microscope , a compound microscope combined with a filar micrometer, used chiefly for reading and subdividing the divisions of large astronomical and geodetical instruments. -- Micrometer screw , a screw with a graduated head used in some forms of micrometers. -- Position micrometer . See under Position . -- Scale , &or; Linear , micrometer , a minute and very delicately graduated scale of equal parts used in the field of a telescope or microscope, for measuring distances by direct comparison.

Micrometric, Micrometrical <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*met"ric (?) , Mi`cro*met"ric*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. microm\'82trique .] Belonging to micrometry; made by the micrometer. -- Mi`cro*met"ric*al*ly , adv.

Micrometry <Xpage=921>

Mi*crom"e*try (?) , n. The art of measuring with a micrometer.

Micromillimeter <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*mil"li*me`ter (?) , n. [ Micro- + millimeter .] The millionth part of a meter.

Micron <Xpage=921>

Mic"ron (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ small.] (Physics) A measure of length; the thousandth part of one millimeter; the millionth part of a meter.

Micronesian <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*ne"sian (?) , a. [From Micronesia , fr. Gr. <?/ small + <?/ an island.] Of or pertaining to Micronesia, a collective designation of the islands in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, embracing the Marshall and Gilbert groups, the Ladrones, the Carolines, etc.

Micronesians <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*ne"sians (?) , n. pl. ; sing. Micronesian . (Ethnol.) A dark race inhabiting the Micronesian Islands. They are supposed to be a mixed race, derived from Polynesians and Papuans.

Micronometer <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*nom"e*ter (?) , n. [ Micro- + chro nometer .] An instrument for noting minute portions of time.

Micro\'94rganism <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*\'94r"gan*ism (?) , n. [ Micro- + organism .] (Biol.) Any microscopic form of life; -- particularly applied to bacteria and similar organisms, esp. such are supposed to cause infectious diseases.

Micropantograph <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*pan"to*graph (?) , n. [ Micro- + pantograph .] A kind of pantograph which produces copies microscopically minute.

Micropegmatite <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*peg"ma*tite (?) , n. [ Micro- + pegmatite .] (Min.) A rock showing under the microscope the structure of a graphic granite (pegmatite). -- Mi`cro*peg`ma*tit"ic (#) , a.

Microphone <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*phone (?) , n. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ sound, voice: cf. F. microphone .] (Physics) An instrument for intensifying and making audible very feeble sounds. It produces its effects by the changes of intensity in an electric current, occasioned by the variations in the contact resistance of conducting bodies, especially of imperfect conductors, under the action of acoustic vibrations.

Microphonics <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*phon"ics (?) , n. [See Microphone .] The science which treats of the means of increasing the intensity of low or weak sounds, or of the microphone.

Microphonous <Xpage=921>

Mi*croph"o*nous (?) , a. Serving to augment the intensity of weak sounds; microcoustic.

Microphotograph <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*pho"to*graph (?) , n. [ Micro- + photograph .]

1. A microscopically small photograph of a picture, writing, printed page, etc.

2. An enlarged representation of a microscopic object, produced by throwing upon a sensitive plate the magnified image of an object formed by a microscope or other suitable combination of lenses.

&hand; A picture of this kind is preferably called a photomicrograph .

Microphotography <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*pho*tog"ra*phy (?) , n. The art of making microphotographs.

Microphthalmia, Microphthalmy <Xpage=921>

Mi`croph*thal"mi*a (?) , Mi`croph*thal"my (?) , n. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ eye.] An unnatural smallness of the eyes, occurring as the result of disease or of imperfect development.

Microphyllous <Xpage=921>

Mi*croph"yl*lous (?) , a. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ leaf.] (Bot.) Small-leaved.

Microphytal <Xpage=921>

Mi*croph"y*tal (?) , a. (Bot.) Pertaining to, or of the nature of, microphytes.

Microphyte <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*phyte (?) , n. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ a plant: cf. F. microphyte .] (Bot.) A very minute plant, one of certain unicellular alg\'91, such as the germs of various infectious diseases are believed to be.

Micropyle <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*pyle (?) , n. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ gate, orifice: cf. F. micropyle .] (Biol.) (a) An opening in the membranes surrounding the ovum, by which nutrition is assisted and the entrance of the spermatozoa permitted. (b) An opening in the outer coat of a seed, through which the fecundating pollen enters the ovule. -- Mi*crop"y*lar (#) , a.

Microscopal <Xpage=921>

Mi*cros"co*pal (?) , a. Pertaining to microscopy, or to the use of the microscope.

Huxley.

Microscope <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*scope (?) , n. [ Micro- + -scope .] An optical instrument, consisting of a lens, or combination of lenses, for making an enlarged image of an object which is too minute to be viewed by the naked eye.

Compound microscope , an instrument consisting of a combination of lenses such that the image formed by the lens or set of lenses nearest the object (called the objective ) is magnified by another lens called the ocular or eyepiece . -- Oxyhydrogen microscope , and Solar microscope . See under Oxyhydrogen , and Solar . -- Simple, &or; Single , microscope , a single convex lens used to magnify objects placed in its focus.

Microscopial <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*sco"pi*al (?) , a. Microscopic. [R.]

Berkeley.

Microscopic, Microscopical <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*scop"ic (?) , Mi`cro*scop"ic*al (?) , a. [Cf. F. microscopique .]

1. Of or pertaining to the microscope or to microscopy; made with a microscope; as, microscopic observation .

2. Able to see extremely minute objects.

Why has not man a microscopic eye? Pope.

3. Very small; visible only by the aid of a microscope; as, a microscopic insect .

Microscopically <Xpage=921>

Mi`cro*scop"ic*al*ly , adv. By the microscope; with minute inspection; in a microscopic manner.

Microscopist <Xpage=921>

Mi*cros"co*pist (?; 277) , n. One skilled in, or given to, microscopy.

Microscopy <Xpage=921>

Mi*cros"co*py (?) , n. The use of the microscope; investigation with the microscope.

Microseme <Xpage=921>

Mi"cro*seme (?) , a. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ sign, mark: cf. F. micros\'8ame .] (Anat.) Having the orbital index relatively small; having the orbits broad transversely; -- opposed to megaseme .

<page="922"> Page 922

Microspectroscope <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*spec"tro*scope (?) , n. [ Micro- + spectroscope .] (Physics) A spectroscope arranged for attachment to a microscope, for observation of the spectrum of light from minute portions of any substance.

Microsporangium <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*spo*ran"gi*um (?) , n. [NL. See Micro- , and Sporangium .] (Bot.) A sporangium or conceptacle containing only very minute spores. Cf. Macrosporangium .

Microspore <Xpage=922>

Mi"cro*spore (?) , n. [ Micro- + spore .] (Bot.) One of the exceedingly minute spores found in certain flowerless plants, as Selaginella and Isoetes , which bear two kinds of spores, one very much smaller than the other. Cf. Macrospore .

Microsporic <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*spor"ic (?) , a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to microspores.

Microsthene <Xpage=922>

Mi"cro*sthene (?) , n. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ might, strength.] (Zo\'94l.) One of a group of mammals having a small size as a typical characteristic. It includes the lower orders, as the Insectivora, Cheiroptera, Rodentia, and Edentata.

Microsthenic <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*sthen"ic (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Having a typically small size; of or pertaining to the microsthenes.

Microtasimeter <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*ta*sim"e*ter (?) , n. [ Micro- + ta<?/imeter .] (Physics) A tasimeter, especially when arranged for measuring very small extensions. See Tasimeter .

Microtome <Xpage=922>

Mi"cro*tome (?) , n. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ to cut.] An instrument for making very thin sections for microscopical examination.

Microomist <Xpage=922>

Mi*cro"o*mist (?) , n. One who is skilled in or practices microtomy.

Microomy <Xpage=922>

Mi*cro"o*my (?) , n. The art of using the microtome; investigation carried on with the microtome.

Microvolt <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*volt" (?) , n. [ Micro- + volt .] (Elec.) A measure of electro-motive force; the millionth part of one volt.

Microweber <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*we"ber (?) , n. [ Micro- + weber .] (Elec.) The millionth part of one weber.

Microzoa <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*zo"a (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ small + <?/ an animal.] (Zo\'94l.) The Infusoria.

Microzo\'94spore <Xpage=922>

Mi`cro*zo"\'94*spore (?) , n. [ Micro- + zo\'94spore .] (Bot.) A small motile spore furnished with two vibratile cilia, found in certain green alg\'91.

Microzyme <Xpage=922>

Mi"cro*zyme (?) , n. [ Micro- + Gr. <?/ leaven.] (Biol.) A micro\'94rganism which is supposed to act like a ferment in causing or propagating certain infectious or contagious diseases; a pathogenic bacterial organism.

Micturition <Xpage=922>

Mic`tu*ri"tion (?) , n. [L. micturire to desire to make water, v. desid. fr. mingere , mictum , to make water.] The act of voiding urine; also, a morbidly frequent passing of the urine, in consequence of disease.

Mid <Xpage=922>

Mid (?) , a. [ Compar. wanting; superl. Midmost .] [AS. midd ; akin to OS. middi , D. mid (in comp.), OHG. mitti , Icel. mi<?/r , Goth. midjis , L. medius , Gr. <?/, Skr. madhya . <?/<?/<?/<?/. Cf. Amid , Middle , Midst , Mean , Mediate , Meridian , Mizzen , Moiety .]

1. Denoting the middle part; as, in mid ocean .

No more the mounting larks, while Daphne sings, Shall list'ning in mid air suspend their wings. Pope.

2. Occupying a middle position; middle; as, the mid finger; the mid hour of night.

3. (Phon.) Made with a somewhat elevated position of some certain part of the tongue, in relation to the palate; midway between the high and the low ; -- said of certain vowel sounds; as, \'be (\'bele), &ecr; (&ecr;ll), &omac; (&omac;ld) . See Guide to Pronunciation , &sect;&sect; 10, 11.

&hand; Mid is much used as a prefix, or combining form, denoting the middle or middle part of a thing; as, mid -air, mid -channel, mid -age, mid day, mid land, etc. Also, specifically, in geometry, to denote a circle inscribed in a triangle (a mid circle), or relation to such a circle; as, mid -center, mid radius.

Mid <Xpage=922>

Mid , n. Middle. [Obs.]

About the mid of night come to my tent. Shak.

Mid <Xpage=922>

Mid , prep. See Amid .

Mida <Xpage=922>

Mi"da (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ a destructive insect in pulse.] (Zo\'94l.) The larva of the bean fly.

Midas <Xpage=922>

Mi"das (?) , n. [So called from L. Midas , a man fabled to have had ass's ears.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of longeared South American monkeys, including numerous species of marmosets. See Marmoset .

Midas's ear <Xpage=922>

Mi"das's ear" (?) . [See Midas .] (Zo\'94l.) A pulmonate mollusk ( Auricula, &or; Ellobium, aurismid\'91 ); -- so called from resemblance to a human ear.

Midbrain <Xpage=922>

Mid"brain` (?) , n. [ Mid , a. + brain .] (Anat.) The middle segment of the brain; the mesencephalon. See Brain .

Midday <Xpage=922>

Mid"day` (?) , n. [AS. midd\'91g . See Mid , a. , and Day .] The middle part of the day; noon.

Midday <Xpage=922>

Mid"day` , a. Of or pertaining to noon; meridional; as, the midday sun .

Midden <Xpage=922>

Mid"den (?) , n. [Also midding .] [Cf. Dan. m\'94gdynge , E. muck , and dung .]

1. A dunghill. [Prov. Eng.]

2. An accumulation of refuse about a dwelling place; especially, an accumulation of shells or of cinders, bones, and other refuse on the supposed site of the dwelling places of prehistoric tribes, -- as on the shores of the Baltic Sea and in many other places. See Kitchen middens .

Midden crow <Xpage=922>

Mid"den crow" (?) . (Zo\'94l.) The common European crow. [Prov. Eng.]

Middest <Xpage=922>

Mid"dest (?) , a. ; superl. of Mid . [See Midst .] Situated most nearly in the middle; middlemost; midmost. [Obs.] " 'Mongst the middest crowd."

Spenser.

Middest <Xpage=922>

Mid"dest , n. Midst; middle. [Obs.]

Fuller.

Midding <Xpage=922>

Mid"ding (?) , n. Same as Midden .

Middle <Xpage=922>

Mid"dle (?) , a. [OE. middel , AS. middel ; akin to D. middel , OHG. muttil , G. mittel . <?/<?/<?/<?/. See Mid , a. ]

1. Equally distant from the extreme either of a number of things or of one thing; mean; medial; as, the middle house in a row; a middle rank or station in life; flowers of middle summer; men of middle age.

2. Intermediate; intervening.

Will, seeking good, finds many middle ends. Sir J. Davies.

&hand; Middle is sometimes used in the formation of selfexplaining compounds; as, middle -sized, middle -witted.