Search the Dictionary

The name of two ancient historical books, which give accounts of Jewish affairs in or about the time of the Maccabean princes, and which are received as canonical books in the Roman Catholic Church, but are included in the Apocrypha by Protestants. Also applied to three books, two of which are found in some MSS. of the…

Greatness, in reference to influence or effect; importance; as, an affair of magnitude. The magnitude of his designs. Bp. Horsley. Apparent magnitude (Opt.), the angular breadth of an object viewed as measured by the angle which it subtends at the eye of the observer; - - called also apparent diameter. -- Magnitude of…

The condition of being of full age, or authorized by law to manage one's own affairs.

Bad administration; bad management of any business, especially of public affairs. [Written also maleadministration.]

To direct affairs; to carry on business or affairs; to administer. Leave them to manage for thee. Dryden .

; guidance; control; as, the management of a family or of a farm; the management of state affairs. "The management of the voice." E. Porter.

A person who conducts business or household affairs with economy and frugality; a good economist. A prince of great aspiring thoughts; in the main, a manager of his treasure. Sir W. Temple.

erely because men will not bide their time, but will insist on precipitating the march of affairs. Buckle.

Of or pertaining to the sea; having to do with the ocean, or with navigation or naval affairs; nautical; as, marine productions or bodies; marine shells; a marine engine.

Of or pertaining to the ocean; marine; pertaining to navigation and naval affairs, or to shipping and commerce by sea. "Maritime service." Sir H. Wotton. Maritime law. See Law. -- Maritime loan, a loan secured by bottomry or respodentia bonds. -- Martime nations, nations having seaports, and using the sea more or les…

oss or other mark. (b) To make a distinct or lasting impression on the public mind, or on affairs; to gain distinction.

That which one has to treat, or with which one has to do; concern; affair; business. To help the matter, the alchemists call in many vanities out of astrology. Bacon. Some young female seems to have carried matters so far, that she is ripe for asking advice. Spectator.

unnecessarily or impertinently, to interfere or busy one's self improperly with another's affairs; specifically, to handle or distrub another's property without permission; -- often followed by with or in. Why shouldst thou meddle to thy hurt 2 Kings xiv. 10. The civil lawyers . . . have meddled in a matter that belong…

Given to meddling; apt to interpose in the affairs of others; officiously intrusive. -- Med"dle*some*ness, n.

eset; the press; the burden; as, in the midst of official duties; in the midst of secular affairs.

taining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; belonging to, engaged in, or appropriate to, the affairs of war; as, a military parade; military discipline; military bravery; military conduct; military renown. Nor do I, as an enemy to peace, Troop in the throngs of military men. Shak.

One to whom the sovereign or executive head of a government intrusts the management of affairs of state, or some department of such affairs. Ministers to kings, whose eyes, ears, and hands they are, must be answerable to God and man. Bacon.

To manage ill or improperly; as, to mismanage public affairs.

A condition in which the lower classes of a nation control public affairs without respect to law, precedents, or vested rights. It is good name that Dr. Stevens has given to our present situation (for one can not call it a government), a mobocracy. Walpole.

Mode, or manner, of living; hence, a temporary arrangement of affairs until disputed matters can be settled.