Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

2. Courage; spirit. In this sense it is more frequently written mettle.

Being glad to find their companions had so much metal, after a long debate the major part carried it. Clarendon.

3. Upon this signification the following ambiguity is founded.

Both kinds of metal he prepar'd, Either to give blows or to ward; Courage and steel both of great force, Prepar'd for better or for worse.

Hudibras.

METALE PSIS. n. S. [μετάληψις.] A continuation of a trope in one word through a succession of significations. Bailey. METALLICAL. adj. [from metallum, METALLICK. S Lat. metallique, Fr.] Partaking of metal; containing metal; consisting of metal.

The ancients observing in that material a kind of metallical nature, or fusibility, seem to have resolved it to nobler use; an art now utterly lost. Wotton.

The lofty lines abound with endless store Of min'ral treasure, and metallick oar. Blackm. METALLIFEROus. adj. [metallum and fero, Lat.] Producing metals. META'LLINE. adj. [from metal.] 1. Impregnated with metal.

2.

Dict.

Metalline waters have virtual cold in them; put therefore wood or clay into smith's water, and try whether it will not harden.

Consisting of metal.

Bacon.

Though the quicksilver were brought to a very close and lovely metalline cylinder, not interrupted by interspersed bubbles, yet having caused the air to be again drawn out of the receiver, several little bubbles disclosed themselves. Boyle.

METALLIST. n. s. [from metal; metalliste, Fr.] A worker in metals; one skilled in metals.

Metallists use a kind of terrace in their vessels for fining metals, that the melted metal run not out; it is made of quick lime and ox blood. Moxon.

METALLO GRAPHY.n.s. [metallum and γράφω.] An account or description of metals.

Dict.

METALLURGIST. n.s. [metallum and έργον.] A worker in metals. METALLURGY.n.s. [metallum and εργον.] The art of working metals, or separating them from their ore.

TO METAMORPHOSE. v. a. [metamorpboser, Fr. μεταμορφόω.] Το change the form or shape of any thing.

Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me;
Made me neglect my studies, lose my time.

Shakspeare.
They became degenerate and metamorphosed

like Nebuchadnezzar, who, though he had the face of a man, had the heart of a beast. Davies.

The impossibility to conceive so great a prince and favourite so suddenly metamorphosed into travellers, with no train, was enough to make any man unbelieve his five senses. Wotton.

From such rude principles our form began, And earth was metamorphos'd into man. Dryd. METAMORPHOSIS. n.s. [metamorphose, Fr. μεταμόρφωσις.] 1. Transformation; change of shape. His whole oration stood upon a short narration, what was the causer of this metamorphosis. Sidney.

Obscene talk is grown so common, that one would think we were fallen into an age of metamorphosis, and that the brutes did not only poetically but really speak. Govern. of the Tongue. What! my noble colonel in metamorphosis! On what occasion are you transformed? Dryd. There are probable machines in epic poems, where the gods are no less actors than the men; but the less credible sort, such as metamorphoses, are far more rare.

Broome.

2. It is applied by Harvey to the changes an animal undergoes, both in its formation and growth; and by several to the various shapes some insects in particular pass through, as the silk-worm, and the like.

METAPHOR.

N. S.

Quincy. [metaphore, Fr. μεταφορα.] The application of a word to an use to which, in its its original import, it cannot be put: as, he bridles his anger; he deadens the sound; the spring awakes the flowers. A metaphor is a simile comprised in a word; the spring putting in action the powers of vegetation, which were torpid in the winter, as the powers of a sleeping animal are excited by awaking him.

The work of tragedy is on the passions, and in a dialogue; both of them abhor strong metaphors, in which the epopœa delights. Dryden. One died in metaphor, and one in song. Pope. METAPHORICAL.) adj. [metaphorique, METAPHORICK.S Fr. from metaphor.] Not literal; not according to the primitive meaning of the word; figurative.

The words which were do continue; the only difference is, that whereas before they had a literal, they now have a metaphorital use. Hooker. METAPHRASE. n.5. [μετάφρασις.] Amere verbal translation from one language into another.

This translation is not so loose as paraphrase, nor so close as metaphrase. Dryden. METAPHRAST. n.s. [metaphraste, Fr. μεταφρασης.] A literal translator; one who translates word for word from one language into another. METAPHYSICK. S METAPHYSICAL. adj.

1. Versed in metaphysicks; relating to metaphysicks.

2. In Shakspeare it means supernatural or preternatural.

Hie thee hither,

To chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round, Which fate, and metaphysical aid, doth seem To have crown'd thee withal.

Shaksp.

[blocks in formation]

If sight be caused by intromission, or receiving in, the form of contrary species should be received confusedly together, which, how absurd it is, Aristotle shews in his metaphysicks. Peach. See physick beg the Stagyrite's defence! See metaphysick call for aid on sense! Pope. The topicks of ontology or metaphysick, are cause, effect, action, passion, identity, opposition, subject, adjunct, and sign. Watts' Logick. METAPLASM. n. 5. [μεταπλασμός.] Α figure in rhetorick, wherein words or letters are transposed contrary to their natural order.

Dict.

METASTASIS. n. 5. [μεταστασις.] Translation or removal.

His disease was a dangerous asthma; the cause a metastasis, or translation of tartarous humours from his joints to his lungs.

Harvey. METATARSAL. adj. [from metatarsus.] Belonging to the metatarsus.

The bones of the toes, and part only of the metatarsal bones, may be carious; in which case cut off only so much of the foot as is disordered.

Sharp. METATA'RSUS. n. 5. [μέτα and ταρσὸς.] The middle of the foot, which is composed of five small bones connected to those of the first part of the foot. Dict.

The conjunction is called synarthrosis, as in ⚫ the joining the tarsus to the metatarsus. Wisem. META'THESIS. n. 5. [μεταθεσις.] Atransposition.

To METE. v. a. [metior, Lat.] sure; to reduce to measure.

To mea

Psalms.

I will divide Shechem, and mete the valley of Succoth. To measure any distance by a line, apply some known measure wherewith to mete it. Though you many ways pursue

Holder.

To find their length, you'll never mete the true,
But thus; take all that space the sun
Metes out, when every daily round is run.

Creech.

METEWAND.n. s. [mete and yard, or ME TEYARD. S wand.] A staff of a certain length wherewith measures are taken.

A true touchstone, a sure meterwand lieth before their eyes.

weight, or measure.

Ascham's Schoolmaster.

Leviticus.

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in meteyard, TO METEMPSYCHOSE. V. a. [from metempsychosis.) To translate from body to body. A word not received.

The souls of usurers after their death, Lucian affirms to be metempsychosed, or translated into the bodies of asses, and there remain certain years, for poor men to take their pennyworth out of their bones. Peacham on Blazoning. METEMPSYCHO'SIS. n.5. [μετεμψύχωσις.] The transmigration of souls from body to body,

From the opinion of metempsychosis, or trans

migration of the souls of men into the bodies of beasts, most suitable unto their human condition, after his death Orpheus the musician beBrown's Vulg. Errours.

came a swan.

METEOR. n. 5. [meteore, Fr. μετέωρα.] Any bodies in the air or sky that are of a flux and transitory nature.

Look'd he or red, or pale, or sad, or merrily? What observation mad'st thou in this case, Of his heart's meteors tilting in his face? Shak.

She began to cast with herself from what coast this blazing star must rise upon the horizon of Ireland; for there had the like meteor strong influence before. Bacon's Henry VII.

These burning fits but meteors be, Whose matter in thee soon is spent:

Doane.

Thy beauty, and all parts which are in thee, Are an unchangeable firmament. Then flaming metcors, hung in air, were scen, And thunders rattled through a sky serene.

Dryden.

Why was I rais'd the meteor of the world, Hung in the skies, and blazing as I travell'd, Till all my fires were spent; and then cast

downward

[blocks in formation]

METEOROUS. adj. [from meteor.] Hav-
ing the nature of a meteor.
From the o'er hill

To their fixt station, all in bright array,
The cherubim descended, on the ground
Gliding meteorous, as ev'ning inist
Ris'n from a river.

Milton's Par. Lost. ME'TER. n.s. [from mete.] A measurer : as, a coal-meter, a land-meter. METHE GLIN. n. s. [meddyglyn, Welsh, from medd and glyn, to glue, Minshew; or me iclyg, a physician, and llyn, drink, because it is a medicinal drink.) Drink made of honey boiled with water and fermented.

White-handed mistress, one sweet word with thee.

-Honey, and milk, and sugar, there is three. -Nay then two treys; and if you grow so nice, Metheglin, wort, and malmsey. Shaksp.

T'allay the strength and hardness of the wine, And with old Bacchus new metheglin join. Dryd. METHINKS. verb impersonal. [me and

[blocks in formation]

Rogers.

METHODICALLY. adv. [from methodi-
cal.] According to method and order.
To begin methodically, I should enjoin you
travel; for absence doth remove the cause, re-
moving the object.
Suckling.
All the rules of painting are methodically, con-
cisely, and clearly delivered in this treatise.
Dryden.
TO METHODISE. v. a. [from method.] To
regulate; to dispose in order.
Resolv'd his unripe vengeance to defer,
The royal spy retir'd again unseen,
To brood in secret on his gather'd spleen,
And methodize revenge. Dryden's Boccace.
The man who does not know how to methodise
his thoughts, has always a barren superfluity of
words; the fruit is lost amidst the exuberance of
leaves.
Spectator.

One who brings with him any observations which he has made in his reading of the poets, will find his own reflections methodized and explained, in the works of a good critick. Spect.

Pope.

Those rules of old discover'd, not devis'd, Are nature still, but nature methodis'd. METHODIST. n. s. [from method.] 1. A physician who practices by theory. Our wariest physicians, not only chemists but methodists, give it inwardly in several constitu tions and distempers. Boyle.

2. One of a new kind of puritans lately arisen, so called from their profession to live by rules and in constant method. METHOUGHT, the preterit of methinks. [See METHINKS and MESEEMS.] I thought; it appeared to me. I know not that any author has mescemed, though it is more grammatical, and deduced analogically from meseems.

Methought, a serpent eat my heart away,
And you sat smiling at his cruel prey. Shaksp.
Since I sought

By pray'r th' offended deity t' appease;
Kneel'd, and before him humbl'd all my heart.
Methought, I saw him placable, and mild,
Bending his ear: persuasion in me grew
That I was heard with favour; peace return'd
Home to my breast; and to my memory
His promise, "That thy seed shall bruise our
foe."
Milton.

[blocks in formation]

Methought I stood on a wide river's bank, Which I must needs o'erpass, but knew not how. Dryden. METONY'MICAL. adj. [from metonymy.] Put by metonymy for something else. METONY MICALLY. adv. [from metonimical.] By metonymy; not literally.

The disposition of the coloured body, as that modifies the light, may be called by the name of a colour metonymically, or efficiently; that is, in regard of its turning the light that rebounds from it, or passes through it, into this or that particular colour.

Boyle.

ΜΕΤΟΝΥΜΥ. η. s. [metonymie, Fr. μετωνυμία.] Α rhetorical figure, by which one word is put for another, as the matter for the materiate; be died by steel, that is, by a sword.

They differ only as cause and effect, which, by a metonymy usual in all sorts of authors, are frequently put one for another.

Tillotson.

METOPO'SCOPY. n. s. [metoposcopie, Fr. μέτωπον and σκέπτω.] The study of physiognomy; the art of knowing the characters of men by the countenance. METRE. n. s. [metrum, Latin; μέτρον.] Speech confined to a certain number and harmonick disposition of syllables; verse; measure; numbers.

For the metre sake, some words be driven awry which require a straighter placing in plain prose. Ascham's Schoolmaster.

Abuse the city's best good men in metre, To laugh at lords.

Pope.

METRICAL. adj. [metricus, Lat. metrique,
French.]
1. Pertaining to metre or numbers.

[blocks in formation]

Knolles.

ME'TTLE. n.s. [corrupted from metal, but commonly written so when the metaphorical sense is used.]

7. Spirit; spriteliness; courage.

What a blunt fellow is this grown to be? He was quick mettle when he went to school. Shakspeare.

I had rather go with sir priest than sir knight: I care not who knows so much of my mettle. Shak. Upon this heaviness of the king's forces, interpreted to be fear and want of mettle, divers resorted to the seditious. Hayward's Edw. vI. He had given so frequent testimony of signal courage in several actions, that his mettle was never suspected. Clarendon.

course.

'Tis more to guide than spur the muse's steed, Restrain his fury, than provoke his speed; The winged courser, like a gen'rous horse, Shows mest true mettle when you check his Pope. 2. Substance: this at least should be metal. Oh thou! whose self-same mettle, Whereof thy proud child, arrogant man, is puft, Engenders the black toad, and adder blue. Shak. ME'TTLED. adj. [from mettle.] Spritely; courageous; full of ardour; full of fire. Such a light and metall'd dance

Saw you never.

Ben Jonson.

Nor would you find it easy to compose, The mettled steeds, when from their nostrils

flows

}

The scorching fire that in their entrails glows.. Addison. ME'TTLESOME. adj. [from mettle.] Spritely; lively; gay; brisk; airy; fiery; courageous.

Their force differs from true spirit, as much as a vicious from a mettlesome horse.

Tatler.

METTLESOMELY. adv. [from mettlesome.] With spritelness. MEW. n.s. [mue, French.]

[blocks in formation]

The steps of wrong, then move you to mew up Your tender kinsman. Sbakspeare.

Fair Hermia, question your desires; Know of your youth, examine well your blood, Whether if you yield not to your father's choice, You can endure the livery of a nun; For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd, To live a barren sister all your life, Chanting faint hymns to the cold, fruitless moon. Shakspeare.

More pity that the eagle should be mew'd, While kites and buzzards prey at liberty. Shak. Feign them sick, Close mew'd in their sedans, for fear of air. Dryden. It is not possible to keep a young gentleman from vice by a total ignorance of it, unless you will all his life mew him up in a closet, and never let him go into company.

Locke.

2. To shed the feathers. It is, I believe, used in this sense, because birds are, by close corifinement, brought to shed their feathers.

I should discourse of hawks, and then treat of their ayries, mewings, casting, and renovation of their feathers.

Walton.

The sun hath mew'd his beams from off his lamp,

And majesty defac'd the royal stamp. Cleaveland. Nine times the moon had mew'd her horns,

at longth

With travel weary, unsupply'd with strength, And with the burden of her womb opprest, Sabean fields afford her needful rest.

Dryden.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

MEZZOTINTO. n.s. [Italian.] A kind of graving, so named as nearly resembling paint, the word importing halfpainted: it is done by beating the whole into asperity with a hammer, and then rubbing it down with a stone to the resemblance intended.

MEYNT. adv. Mingled. Obsolete.
The salt Medway, that trickling streams
Adown the dales of Kent,

Till with the elder brother Thames His brackish waves be meynt. Spenser. MIASM. N. S. [from μιαινω, inquino, to infect.] Such particles or atoms as are supposed to arise from distempered, putrefying, or poisonous bodies, and to affect people at a distance.

The plague is a malignant fever, caused through pestilential miasms insinuating into the humoral and consistent parts of the body. Harv. MICE. The plural of mouse.

Mice that mar the land. 1 Samuel. MICHAELMASS. n.s. [Michael and mass.] The feast of the archangel Michael, celebrated on the twenty-ninth of September.

chief.

They compounded to furnish ten oxen after Michaelmass for thirty pounds price. Carew. To MICHE. v. n. To be secret or covered; to lie hid. Hanmer. Marry this is miching malicho; it means misShakspeare. MICHER. N. s. [from miche.] A lazy loiterer, who skulks about in corners and by-places, and keeps out of sight; a hedge-creeper. Mich or mick is still retained in the cant language for an indolent, lazy fellow. It is used in the western counties for a truant boy.

How tenderly her tender hands between In ivory cage she did the micher bind. Sidney. Shall the blessed son of heav'n prove a micher, and eat blackberries? a question not to be asked, Shall the son of England prove a thief, and take purses? a question to be asked. Shakspeare. MICKLE. adj. [micel, Saxon.] Much; great. Obsolete. In Scotland it is pronounced muckle.

This reade is rife that oftentime

[blocks in formation]

/

She to whom this world must itself refer, As suburbs, or the microcosm of her; She, she is dead; she's dead, when thou know'st this,

Thou know'st how lame a creeple this world is. Donne.

As in this our microcosm, the heart Heat, spirit, motions gives to every part; So Rome's victorious influence did disperse All her own virtues through the universe. Denh.

Swift.

Philosophers say, that man is a microcosm, or little world, resembling in miniature every part of the great; and the body natural may be compared to the body politick. MICROGRAPHY. n. 5. [μίκρὸς and γράφω.] The description of the parts of such very small objects as are discernible only with a microscope.

Grezu.

The honey bag is the stomach, which they always fill to satisfy and to spare, vomiting up the greater part of the honey to be kept against winter; a curious description and figure of the sting see in Mr. Hook's micrography. MICROMETER. n. 5. [μίκρ and μέτρον; micrometre, French.) An instrument contrived to measure small spaces. MICROSCOPE. n. 5. [μίκρο- and σκοπέως microscope, French.) An optick instrument, contrived various ways to give to the eye a large appearance of many objects which could not otherwise be

seen.

If the eye were so acute as to rival the finest microscopes, and to discern the smallest hair upon the leg of a knat, it would be a curse, and not a blessing to us; it would make all things appear rugged and deformed; the most finely polished crystal would be uneven and rough; the sight • of our own selves would affright us; the smoothest skin would be beset all over with ragged scales and bristly hairs. Bentley.

The critick eye, that microscope of wit, Sees hairs and pores, examines bit by bit. Dune, MICROSCOPICAL. adj. [from microsMICROSCO PICK. 5 cope.] 1. Made by a microscope.

Make microscopical observations of the figure and bulk of the constituent parts of all fluids. Arbuthnot.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »