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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



1,027 words match “ORIGIN”

METAMORPHIC a.
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.
METEORIC a.
iron, Meteoric stone. (Min.) See Meteorite. -- Meteoric paper, a substance of confervoid origin found floating in the air, and resembling bits of coarse paper; -- so called because formerly supposed to fall from meteors. -- Meteoric showers, periodical exhibitions of shooting stars, occuring about the 9th or 10th of…
METHODIST n.
1729, of which the most conspicuous members were John Wesley and his brother Charles; -- originally so called from the methodical strictness of members of the club in all religious duties.
METRIC a.
lysis 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 li…
MICO n.
A small South American monkey (Mico melanurus), allied to the marmoset. The name was originally applied to an albino variety.
MICROCOSMIC; MICROCOSMICAL a.
used as a substitute for borax as a blowpipe reagent in testing for the metallic oxides. Originally obtained by the alchemists from human urine, and called sal microcosmicum.
MILK n.
man are uncontrollable vomiting, obstinate constipation, pain, and muscular tremors. Its origin in cattle has been variously ascribed to the presence of certain plants in their food, and to polluted drinking water. -- Milk snake (Zoöl.), a harmless American snake (Ophibolus triangulus, or O. eximius). It is variously…
MILK SICKNESS n.
man are uncontrollable vomiting, obstinate constipation, pain, and muscular tremors. Its origin in cattle has been variously ascribed to the presence of certain plants in their food, and to polluted water.
MINIATURE n.
Originally, a painting in colors such as those in mediæval manuscripts; in modern times, any very small painting, especially a portrait.
MISBEGOT; MISBEGOTTEN p.
Unlawfully or irregularly begotten; of bad origin; pernicious. "Valor misbegot." Shak.
MISCELLANY n.
ection of compositions on various subjects. 'T is but a bundle or miscellany of sin; sins original, and sins actual. Hewyt. Miscellany madam, a woman who dealt in various fineries; a milliner. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
MODULATION n.
at the harmonies all center upon a new keynote or tonic; the art of transition out of the original key into one nearly related, and so on, it may be, by successive changes, into a key quite remote. There are also sudden and unprepared modulations.
MODULUS n.
qual to a given unit, as a square inch or foot, to double, or to compress it to half, its original length, were that degree of elongation or compression possible, or within the limits of elasticity; -- called also Young's modulus. -- Modulus of rupture, the measure of the force necessary to break a given substance acr…
MOIRE n.
Originally, a fine textile fabric made of the hair of an Asiatic goat; afterwards, any textile fabric to which a watered appearance is given in the process of calendering.
MOLDBOARD; MOULDBOARD n.
A curved plate of iron (originally of wood) back of the share of a plow, which turns over the earth in plowing.
MONEY n.
ular metals, as were in those countries commonly made use of to purchase goods. Hence the origin of coined money, and of those public offices called mints. A. Smith.
MONOGENESIS n.
Oneness of origin; esp. (Biol.), development of all beings in the universe from a single cell; -- opposed to polygenesis. Called also monism. Dana. Haeckel.
MONOGENISM n.
The theory or doctrine that the human races have a common origin, or constitute a single species.
MONOGENY n.
The doctrine that the members of the human race have all a common origin.
MONOPHYLETIC a.
evelopment from a single common parent form; -- opposed to polyphyletic; as, monophyletic origin.
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